Apollitical Dynamite, under jockey Victor Urieta, Jr., drives to victory in the $130,713 John Deere Texas Juvenile Thursday at Sam Houston Race Park.

© Coady Photography

HOUSTON, TX–JUNE 16, 2022–Apollitical Dynamite picked a perfect time to break his maiden with an impressive 1-1/2 length victory in the $130,713 John Deere Texas Juvenile at Sam Houston Race Park Thursday evening.

Under jockey Victor Urieta, Jr., Apollitical Dynamite drew away late and was much the best while completing the 350 yards in :18.121 seconds, a 82 speed index into a 5 mph headwind.

"There was a little traffic at the start, but my horse was ready to run," Urieta said following the victory.

It was the first win in three starts for the son of leading sire Apollitical Jes who came into the Juvenile off a second-place effort to fastest qualifier Leavinematthebar in the May 26 trials.

Trainer Juan Diaz, Jr. saddled the $87,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale graduate, for owner Red Sea Racing Stables, LLC. Wallace Johnson bred the sorrel colt in Oklahoma from the First Down Dash mare Runawayheart. He picked up $60,128 for the win tonight to bring his bankroll to $64,778.

Don Ahrens, SHRP Director of Security, presents the winning connections of Apollitical Dynamite the John Deere Texas Juvenile stakes trophy Thursday at Sam Houston Race Park. © Coady Photography

"I give all credit to Victor. We ran him with a flipping halter, but Victor knows this horse and told me he didn't need it," Diaz said. "We will go to Retama but  need to sit down with the owners and talk about his next start."

The win tonight also earns Apollitical Dynamite a starting spot in the Grade 2 $125,000-est. John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship to be held October 12^th at Horseshoe Indianapolis during the Bank of American Challenge Championships October 22nd.

Still winless in three starts, runner-up Jess Good Wine earned $26,143 for finishing second. The $35,000 Heritage Place Fall Mixed Sale graduate races for owner Guns Up Racing and is trained by recent Ruidoso QH Futurity(G1) winning trainer Toby Keeton.  Luis Vivanco had the riding assignment.

Flag Ranch LLC bred the son of champion Good Reason SA in Oklahoma from the Mr Jess Perry mare Mr Perrys Wine. Jess Good Wine has banked $30,043 in three Sam Houston starts this season.

Oklahoma Futurity(G2) finalist Capo On Fire finished a neck back in third to earn $13,071 for owner Luz Hernandez. Trainer Jailinne Venzor trains the gelded son of multiple stakes sire Capo de Capi from the Shazoom mare Caliente Kate. Bred in Oklahoma by Rick and Connie Dickson, Capo On Fire has one win in five starts and has earned $32,650.

Apollitical Dynamite returned $12 to win, $6.20 to place and $4.20 to show. Jess Good Wine paid $8.60 and $7.20 and Capo On Fire returned $4.80 to show.

Completing the field were Leavinematthebar, Lota Cruising, Jes An Angel, Fabulous Brieanna, Ponte Duro and Flaming Pistol Pete completed the field. Time For A Hero was scratched.