Stolis Pro returns to face seven other 3-year-olds and up in the 870-yard, $15,000 San Marcos Stakes at Retama on Saturday night.

© Coady Photography

SELMA, TX—SEPTEMBER 4, 2019—Last year’s San Marcos champion, Stolis Pro, returns to face seven other 3-year-olds and up in the 870-yard, $15,000 San Marcos Stakes at Retama on Saturday night.

Stolis Pro won the race as the post-time favorite last year to kick off a three-race win streak. The 8-year-old son of Stoli, out of the Runaway Winner mare Viva Jean, is owned and bred by Jerry Windham and trained by Leon Bard. His usual rider, Francisco Calderon, has the call again on Saturday.

Stolis Pro has 13 wins in 35 starts, including 12 wins at 20 starts racing at 870 yards. He has been off since December but has several strong workouts at Retama, where he has finished in the money in 75% of his races.

Among his challengers are Frisco Jess and Jack Ketel. Jack Ketel is a 7-year-old gelding by Ketel Won out of Sheza Moon Bar Baby, by Heza Fast Man. Arnold Lewis trains for owners Diamond Racing, LLC. Jack Ketel has only missed the board once in 2019 and is an 870 specialist; all nine career wins and earnings have come around the turn.

Value play Frisco Jess poses a threat from the inside post position for trainer Leon Bard. The 7-year-old son of Valiant Hero is undefeated in three starts during the current Retama meet, including two stakes, and has defeated half of this field in the Benny Pennington Memorial Stakes in July.

The $15,000 San Marcos Stakes is Race 9 on Saturday at Retama Park. Estimated post time is 10:37 pm CT.

The field, by post position, with trainer, jockey and morning-line odds:

1. Frisco Jess, Leon Bard, Victor Urieta, Jr., 10-1
2. Aces Over Five, Lewis Tooter Jordan, Claudio Aguilar, 8-1
3. Kw Cowboy, Arturo Davila III, Bobby Dow, 6-1
4. Jack Ketel, Arnold Lewis, Eliazar Vera, 7-2
5. No Habits Here, Payton Young, Alejandro Zuniga, 9-2
6. Stolis Pro, Leon Bard, Francisco Calderon, 9-5
7. Love Ta Zoom, Kie Mushinski, Ricardo Garza-Cruz, 15-1
8. Eyesa Shoofly Dandy, Adan Guzman, Noe Villatoro, 12-1