SUNLAND PARK, NM—FEBRUARY 15, 2019—Making his first start since a second-place effort in the Grade 1 Championship at Sunland Park in December, Jess Bein The Hero rolled to a half-length win and the top qualifying time from four trials contested Friday at Sunland Park for the Grade 3 $128,500 West Texas Maturity.

The 10 fastest qualifiers will return on March 9 to vie for the $60,395 winner's share of the purse going 400 yards.

Ridden by jockey Manuel Gutierrez, Jess Bein The Hero completed the 400 yards in :19.007 seconds, clocking a 104 speed index with an 18 mph tailwind. Josue Ponce conditions the multiple graded stakes winning son of Valiant Hero for owner Juan Martinez-Labastida.

Bred in Texas by Curtis Crenewelge, from the Mr Jess Perry mare Jess Braggin, Jess Being The Hero has compiled a (16) 11-4-0 record and banked more than $272,000. He won the grade 2 Sam Houston Championship Challenge and the Rocky Heinzig Stakes in 2018 and was also second in the grade 1 Zia Park Championship.

Graded stakes winner Believe Me Irene, under jockey Alonso Rivera, posted a one-length win in the third trial to get the second fastest time of :19.023, a 104 speed index.

Also by Valiant Hero, the 4-year-old Arizona-bred mare races for owner Diamond Racing Stables and trainer Jose Luis Muela. H & E Ranch, Inc. bred the winner of the last year's Hobbs America Derby(G3) from the Mr Jess Perry mare Financial Leverage. She has earned $271,997.

Ebw Gypsy, under jockey Daniel Amaya, was a one-length winner in the final trial to post the third fastest clocking of :19.047 seconds, a 103 speed index with a 20 mph tailwind.

Juan Carlos Gonzalez saddled the Texas homebred daughter of champion sire Desirio for owner/breeders Ernie and Benda Wood. The lightly race 4-year-old won two of three starts last season and got her third win today to increase her bankroll to $42,390. The gray filly is out of Ebw Obsession by Brimmerton.

William R. Robertson Sr. and William R. Robertson Jr.'s Ruler Of The Realm won the opening trial under jockey Francisco Calderon but failed to qualify. Jackie Riddle conditions the son of leading sire Apollitical Jess from the Eyesa Special mare Kgb Agent Anna.

Valiant Hero led all sires with three finalists.

For the complete list of qualifiers, times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys to the 2019 West Texas Maturity(G3) CLICK HERE.

Post time on Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Friday is 12:50 p.m. (MST).