GRAND PRAIRIE, TX—OCTOBER 20, 2017—Duponte did tonight exactly what he has all year, impress in his trial race.

The son of American Runaway out of Havannah Goodtime by Ivory James, has won every trial race entered in 2017, but has yet to win a final.

Hopefully he can change the outcome this time. He and nine others will hook up in the Grade 1, $384,355.45 Texas Classic Derby on Saturday, November 11.

Duponte was ridden to victory by Rodrigo Vallejo in the second trial (Race 5). He was the fastest qualifier clocking the 440 yards in :21.466 into a 13-mph headwind on a fast track.

Leading trainer Jimmy Padgett saddled the Grade 1 winning gelding for owners Bobby Cox, Homero Paredes and Kristen Ashley Paredes.

Bred in Texas by Cox, Duponte has compiled a (15) 7-2-1 record and earned more than $909,000. Last year he won the Heritage Place Futurity(G1), Harrah's Entertainment Futurity(G3) was second in the Dash For Cash Futurity(G1). This year he was third in the All American Derby(G1) and fourth in the Rainbow Derby(G1) and Heritage Place Derby(G2).

Also, qualifying from Race 5 was second place finisher Tac My Time, a son of Tac It Like a Man who completed the course in :21.577 seconds to garner the third fastest time.

Last year's Texas Classic Futurity winner High Plains Perry posted a strong effort under champion jockey Ricky Ramirez in the fourth trial when he defeated Dash For Cash Derby(G3) winner Paint My Pilot by one-length to get the second fastest clocking of :21.564 seconds, a 94-speed index into a 13-mph headwind.

High Plains Perry was the first of two finalist for Paragon Farms, LLC saddled by leading trainer Trey Wood. Second in the Rainbow Derby(G1) and third in the Ruidoso Derby(G1) over the summer, the son of Mr Jess Perry has compiled an (11) 6-3-1 record and banked more than $746,000.

Johnny Trotter and Burnett Ranches bred High Plains Perry in Texas from the Chicks Beduino mare Sky Chicks.

Grade 1 Ruidoso Futurity winner Apollitical Chad picked up his second consecutive win under champion jockey G.R. Carter, Jr. to get the fourth fastest time of :21.608 in the third trial (Race 6).

Trainer Wesley Giles saddled the son of Apollitical Jess off a win in the All American Derby trials at Ruidoso Downs August 20 for owner Nueve Racing.

Fourth in last year's All American Futurity(G1) the Oklahoma-bred finished off the board in both the Rainbow Derby(G1) and Ruidoso Derby(G1) at Ruidoso over the summer.

Bred by Weetona Stanley and W.E. Smith, from the Shazoom mare Fast Prize Tracy, Apolltical Chad has compiled an (11) 5-2-1 record and banked $703,626.

Last year's Texas Juvenile Invitational winner Graceful Eagle won the opening trial in :21.683 seconds to get the fifth fastest time. Trainer Eusevio Huitron conditions the daughter of leading sire One Famous Eagle for owner Florentino Leon.

In her last start on August 26th she set a new track record of :16.247 seconds for 330 yards at Gillespie County Fairgrounds while winning the Simulcast Services Stakes. Also, second in the Firecracker Derby this year, the bay filly has earned nearly $100,000.

Thomas Bradbury bred Graceful Eagle in Colorado from the Corona Cartel mare Duplicate Check.

Pete Scarmardo's homebred Dash Quick Perry was a game winner for trainer Leon Bard in the final trial to get the eighth fastest clocking of :21.734 seconds, a 90 speed index into a 13 mph headwind.

Winner of the Grade 3 Retama Park Derby in his last start, the son of Down N Dash has won five of six starts this season. His only loss came in the Grade 3 Sam Houston Derby. Out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Quickid Perry, he has earned $147,633.

For a complete list of qualifiers, times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys to the Texas Classic Derby(G1) CLICK HERE.

Live racing continues Saturday at 6:35 p.m. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. 10 races are carded – all trials for the Grade 1, $873,616.38 Texas Classic Futurity to be held on Saturday, November 11.

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Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie, a Class I racetrack operated by Texas Partners LSP and GG LSP. The track offers a 26-day 2017 Fall Meeting of Champions Season, which opens Friday, September 15 and concludes on Saturday, November 11. Live racing will be held three days a week, Thursday, Friday & Saturday at 6:35 p.m. For more information on Lone Star Park visit LoneStarPark.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Lone Star Park is also home to the multi-million dollar simulcast racebook, sports bar and event venue, Bar & Book. The 36,000-square foot venue is open to the public 363 days a year.