Preview Racing


Star-Studded Field Set for Grade 1 Texas Classic Derby
Fastest qualifier Duponte will face a strong field in Saturday's $384,355 Texas Classic Derby (G1) at Lone Star Park.

© Dustin Orona Photography
Star-Studded Field Set for Grade 1 Texas Classic Derby

BY MICHAEL CUSORTELLI

GRAND PRAIRIE, TX—NOVEMBER 8, 2017—A star-studded field of 10 3-year-olds has been entered in Saturday’s 440-yard, $384,355 Texas Classic Derby (G1) at Lone Star Park.

Duponte, the fastest qualifier, drew post 8 for owners Bobby D. Cox, Homero Paredes and Kristen A. Paredes. A homebred son of American Runaway, the colt is coming off of a Ruidoso Downs summer campaign during which he ran third, 2 1/2 lengths behind winner Hold Air Hostage, in the 440-yard, $1.366-million All American Derby (G1) on September 3.

Duponte has banked $909,706 from 15 starts, and a victory on Saturday would put the colt over the $1-million mark in earnings. The winner of last year’s $1.083-million Heritage Place Futurity (G1) at Remington Park, Duponte will be ridden by Rodrigo Vallejo for trainer Jimmy Padgett.

Double A Ranch’s Paint My Pilot, a graded stakes winner during the meet, drew post 4 and will be ridden by Salvador Martinez for trainer Jorge L. Gonzalez. A Louisiana-bred Pyc Paint Your Wagon colt, Paint My Pilot scored a neck victory in the 440-yard, $213,000 Dash For Cash Derby (G3) on September 30.

Other contenders include Dash Quick Perry, a homebred son of Down N Dash trained by Leon Bard for owner Pete Scarmardo of Caldwell, Texas. Dash Quick Perry brings in a four-race win streak that includes a clear 1 1/2-length victory as the odds-on favorite in the 400-yard, $157,000 Retama Park Derby on July 29.

Dash Quick Perry drew post 3 and will be ridden by Francisco Calderon.

The complete lineup, in post position order including jockey assignments:

  1. Political Mess (Yordanis Amaro)
  2. Tac My Time (James Flores)
  3. Dash Quick Perry (Francisco Calderon)
  4. Paint My Pilot (Salvador Martinez)
  5. Graceful Eagle (Manuel Gutierrez)
  6. High Plains Perry (Ricky Ramirez)
  7. Corona Carmelita (Raul Ramirez Jr.)
  8. Duponte (Rodrigo Vallejo)
  9. Apolltical Chad (G.R. Carter Jr.)
  10. Percyjones (Edwuin Lujan)

The Texas Classic Derby, and all Lone Star Park races, can be seen at Q-RacingVideo.com.