Racing


Zenergetic Rallies To Win Selma on Retama Park Season Opener
Zenergetic, under jockey Juan Garcia Jr., winning the Selma Stakes opening night at Retama Park.

© Coady Photography
Zenergetic Rallies To Win Selma on Retama Park Season Opener

SELMA, TX—JUNE 9, 2017—Under a late rally by jockey Juan Garcia Jr., Zenergetic defeated Million Dollar Kiss by half-a-length in the $20,000 Selma Stakes on Friday night, the season opener for the live Quarter Horse season at Retama Park. Jesstempting finished three-quarters back for third.

Trainer Brian Stroud saddled the 4-year-old daughter of Dominyun for owner Zenergetic Group. Bobby D. Cox bred the sorrel filly in Texas from the First Down Dash mare Zenergy.

Zenergetic completed the 350 yards in a quick :17.683 seconds, a 101-speed index into a 15-mph headwind. She has compiled a (12) 4-1-3 record and used the $11,000 Selma winners' purse to boost her earnings mark to $38,708.

The winning connections of Zenergetic gather in the Retama Park winner's circle Friday night to accept the Selma Stakes trophy. © Coady Photography
Million Dollar Kiss (18-1) gave way late under jockey Juan Vazquez and had to settle for the second-place payday worth $3,400. Leading trainer Judd Kearl conditions the 5-year-old Jess Louisiana Blue mare for owner/breeder Jerry Chapman. She is out of the Stoli mare Stoli Kiss.

Crown Racing and James Spry own third-place finisher Jesstempting, a 4-year-old Tempting Dash filly from the Mr Jess Perry mare Jess Charming. Also trained by Kearl, Jesstempting was bred in Texas by Zule Farms LLC. Ridden by Noe Villatoro, the multiple stakes-placed filly earned $2,000 for the effort.

Gimmeahifive, Mary Me Anna, Dm Maryanna, Brookside, Sr Esmeralda, Chula Kid and Fas Prize Doll completed the field.

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In the undercard stakes (not black type) at Retama Park Friday night Turbo Box used a late surge, under jockey Ricardo Garza-Cruz, to win the $6,000 Starter Handicap.

James Mathis conditions the Texas homebred for owner/breeder John Boegner. Turbo Bok is a son of Boknaai from the Streakin La Jolla mare Strakin N Dancin. He earned $3,450 for the effort.