SELMA, TX—JULY 27, 2018—Three trials were run on the Friday evening card for the Adequan Retama Park Derby Challenge.

Jorge Haddad’s Droff, a homebred son of champion FDD Dynasty trained by Alonso Neri, won the second trial in a swift :19.778. Trained by Alonso Neri, Droff was ridden by Luis Vivanco, and paid $3.20 as the 3-5 favorite. This was his first start at Retama Park for the sorrel gelding out of the Corona Cartel mare Cindys First Cd. He began his career at Ruidoso Downs, running in trials for both the Rainbow and All American Futurities. In his most recent start, he finished second in the $70,000 Old South Derby at Delta Downs on May 11.

Sweet Fittin Jeans, bred and owned by Jerry Windham, had the second fastest time, finishing in :20.051. This was just the eighth career start for the daughter of One Sweet Jess, who is trained by Leon Bard. Francisco Calderon had the mount, finishing 1-¾ lengths behind Droff.

Mystical Jess, owned by Juan Lozano, Jr. set the third-fastest clocking of :20.125. The filly by Apollical Jess was bred by her owner and is also trained by Neri. Jessie Levario had the call in the first trial. She was the runner-up here in the John Deere Juvenile Challenge last August.

The ten finalists will return on Saturday, August 18. The winner will represent Texas in the $150,000 Adequan Challenge Championship (G3) at Los Alamitos.

For the complete list of Adequan Retama Derby Challenge qualifiers, times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.