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Quarter Horse Owner and Breeder Abelardo “Chacho” Flores Passed Away at 69
SAN ANTONIO, TX — September 30, 2026

Abelardo H. “Chacho” Flores, a longtime Quarter Horse owner and breeder whose years in racing were marked by enduring partnerships and generations of successful horses, passed away on Saturday, September 26, at age 69. He was born July 31, 1957.

Known throughout racing as Abel Flores, he campaigned horses across the country, both individually and through several partnerships. His story in the sport extended beyond the names on an ownership line. It was built over years spent breeding and racing horses alongside people who shared his commitment, including longtime partner James Sills and trainer Eddie Willis.

“We’ve had a lot of horses together,” Willis said of his years training for Sills and Flores.

Those few words encompass decades of shared work and memories. For Flores, Sills and Willis, some of their greatest successes came from one mare and the generations that followed her—a connection that tied their past accomplishments to their more recent victories.

Willis purchased Shake N Quack for the partners for $25,000 after horseman Butch Wise brought the mare to his attention. Looking back, Willis recalled the confidence Flores and Sills placed in his judgment.

“He (Butch Wise) called me and told me he had mare in foal to Corona Cartel,” Willis said. “She was available for $25,000. I bought her right there for James and Abel. The two owners never even questioned me about the purchase.”

That purchase became a lasting part of their racing story. Shake N Quack produced Shaken Easy Dash and Shake Cartel, two daughters whose families would bring Flores and his partners back to the winner’s circle for years to come.

Shake Cartel produced A Toss Up, an earner of more than $500,000 who won the 2014 Robert Boniface Los Alamitos Invitational Championship (G1). Shaken Easy Dash, a multiple graded stakes placed earner of $186,960, became the granddam of both Cedar Hill and Shaken Goin On.

A decade after A Toss Up’s Grade 1 victory, Cedar Hill won the 2024 Robert Adair Kindergarten Futurity (G2). Their homebred Shaken Goin On followed with a victory in the 2025 Los Alamitos Oaks (G1). Each carried another branch of the same family forward, reflecting the years Flores and Sills had invested in their horses.

Flores’s accomplishments also reached beyond that partnership. He bred and raced Cajun King, the Oklahoma-bred son of The Louisiana Cartel out of Easydoesitcindy, by Scrutinizer. The gelding won the Oklahoma Horsemen’s Association Mystery Futurity (RG3) and earned $147,098.

He also bred Possum Fust, a son of Sweet First Down out of High Fashion Lass, by Merganser, whom he raced with Link Newcomb and Micah Leslie. Trained by Willis, the Oklahoma-bred gelding won five of 14 starts, with four seconds and one third, earning $299,308.

Together, these horses tell the story of Flores’s involvement in Quarter Horse racing: a breeder who watched his horses develop, an owner who shared success through partnerships, and a horseman whose name remained connected to a family of runners across generations. His passing leaves those who raced alongside him with memories that reach well beyond any single stakes victory.

Public visitation will be held Sunday, October 4, from 5–10 p.m. at Trevino Funeral Home, 226 Cupples Road, San Antonio, Texas 78237. Family arrival is scheduled for 4 p.m., and the Rosary will begin at 7 p.m.

On Monday, October 5, arrival at the funeral home is scheduled for 8:30 a.m., with pallbearers arriving at 9 a.m. The procession will depart for the church at 9:20 a.m.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church, 5919 Ingram Road, San Antonio, Texas 78228. Interment will follow at San Fernando Cemetery II, 746 Castroville Road, San Antonio, Texas 78237.

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AJAX, ON — September 30, 2026

Two trials were contested Wednesday afternoon at Ajax Downs for the $60,000-added Alex Picov Memorial Futurity, with Baref Hurricane Rush and Imperial Miracle sharing the fastest qualifying time after dead-heating for the win in the second trial.

The 10 fastest qualifiers will return for the 400-yard final on October 21.

Baref Hurricane Rush and Imperial Miracle hit the wire together in :20.633, earning identical 82 speed indexes.

Baref Hurricane Rush was ridden by Corry Beland for owner and breeder Earl Foster and trainer Corey Illman. The filly by Rushago is out of the Sugarman Perry mare Sugarnspicenotsonice.

The victory improved Baref Hurricane Rush's record to 3-1-1-1 with $14,579 in earnings. She entered the trials off a runner-up finish in the Ontario Bred Futurity.

Imperial Miracle was ridden by Tony Phillips for owner, breeder and trainer James Bogar. The Ontario-bred filly is by Thoroughbred stallion Imperial Hint and out of the Dean Miracle mare Go For Miracles.

The dead-heat victory marked Imperial Miracle's first win from two career starts and increased her earnings to $5,415.

Had To Be Valiant posted the third-fastest qualifying time after taking the opening trial by a nose under Ismael Mosqueira. The filly stopped the clock in :20.758.

A homebred for Carol and Jaime Robertson, Had To Be Valiant is trained by Bryn Robertson. She is by One Valiant Hero and out of the Five Bar Cartel mare Five Bar Fandango. Her second dam is AQHA Dam of Distinction Had To Be Fandango.

Coming off a victory in the Ontario Bred Futurity, Had To Be Valiant remains undefeated through her first three starts and has earned $29,012.

The $60,000-added Alex Picov Memorial Futurity final is scheduled for October 21 at Ajax Downs.

VIEW FULL LIST OF QUALIFIERS HERE!

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WAYNE, OK — September 30, 2026

Royal Vista Ranch is proud to welcome One Fabulous Eagle back to his Oklahoma home, where he began his stallion career. Now a multiple Grade 1 sire with over $10.6 million in progeny earnings, One Fabulous Eagle brings proven speed, class and a Grade 1 résumé back to Oklahoma breeders for the 2027 season.

A Proven Grade 1 Sire

Since entering stud in 2017, One Fabulous Eagle has built a reputation for consistently producing runners with talent. He was the nation's leading first-crop and second-crop sire of winners in 2020 and 2021. His offspring have gone on to win at the highest levels of Quarter Horse racing.

His top performers include:

  • Ezee Monee SI 96 ($644,633): 1st, All American Oaks (G1), and 1st, Rainbow Oaks (G1)
  • A Tres of Eagle SI 108 ($532,735): 1st, AQHA Challenge Championship S. (G1); 1st, Dee Raper Sooner State S. (G1); 1st, Mr Jet Moore S. (G2); and 1st, Remington Park Championship Challenge S. (G2)
  • Jettz SI 101 ($482,744): 3rd in the Ruidoso Quarter Horse Futurity (G1), the Ruidoso Derby (G1) and the Los Alamitos Championship Challenge S. (G2)
  • Muy Peligrosito SI 108 ($420,889): 1st, Southwest Juvenile Invitational Championship S. (G2); 1st, All American Juvenile S.; 2nd, Ruidoso Derby (G1); and 3rd, West Texas Derby (G3)
  • Sheza Fearless Eagle SI 105 ($307,161): 1st, Valley Junction Futurity (G3); 1st, Mile High Derby; 1st, Arapahoe Park Distaff Challenge S.; and 1st, Lucile Rowe Derby

From Grade 1 Oaks winners to graded-stakes champions at every age, his offspring have proven they can win at the highest level at tracks across the country.

Speed On The Track

One Fabulous Eagle had the talent on the racetrack to back up his pedigree. He won or placed in eight of his 11 career starts and earned $664,547. He finished second in the All American Futurity (G1) and third in the Ruidoso Quarter Horse Futurity (G1), won the Corona Cartel Invitational Derby, and was a finalist in both the All American Derby (G1) and the Texas Classic Derby (G1).

Book For 2027

We want to extend a sincere thank-you to One Fabulous Eagle's owners, Bobby Cox and Jill Cook, for their trust in Royal Vista Ranch. It's an honor to stand him again, and we don't take the confidence they've placed in our team lightly.

We're thrilled to have One Fabulous Eagle home, and we look forward to seeing what the next generation brings. His 2027 stud fee is $4,000. To book your mare, call the office at (405) 449-7575 or email info@royalvistaranches.com.

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Sales Highlights


LOS ALAMITOS EQUINE SALE

DateOctober 3–4, 2026CodeLAEMLocation
Cypress, CACatalog

ITOBA/QHRAI YEARLING & MIXED SALE

DateOctober 17, 2026CodeINDMLocation
Shelbyville, IN

FASTRACK OCTOBER MIXED SALE

DateOctober 25, 2026CodeFTOMSLocation
Gainesville, TXCatalog

HERITAGE PLACE FALL MIXED

DateNovember 5–7, 2026CodeHPFMLocation
Oklahoma City, OKCatalog

HERITAGE PLACE CHAMPIONS OF THE FUTURE ONLINE SALE

DateDecember 8–10, 2026CodeHPFIULocation
Oklahoma City, OK

FASTRACK DECEMBER MIXED SALE

DateDecember 13, 2026CodeFTDMSLocation
Gainesville, TX

FASTRACK NEW YEARS FOAL-IN-UTERO AND FROZEN EMBRYO SALE

DateDecember 31, 2026CodeFTFIUFESLocation
Gainesville, TX

HERITAGE PLACE WINTER MIXED SALE

DateJanuary 14–16, 2027CodeHPWMLocation
HPWM

HERITAGE PLACE SUMMER MIXED ONLINE SALE

DateJune 1–3, 2027CodeHPSMLocation
Oklahoma City, OK

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CLAREMORE, OK — September 28, 2026

Js Freightrain took command in mid-stretch and held sway to win the $28,143 Cox Ranch AQHA Distaff Challenge (G3) Sunday afternoon at Will Rogers Downs.

Ridden by Ruben Castro, Js Freightrain completed the 400 yards in :19.516, earning a 104 speed index. The 4-year-old filly defeated Flying Bandida by 1 1/2 lengths, with Carpe Diem Baby another 1 3/4 lengths back in third.

Js Freightrain is trained by Samuel Mendoza for owner Marisol Alvarado. Bred in Oklahoma by Leonardo Alcala, she is by Freighttrain B and out of champion As And Js, by Apollitical Jess. She is a half-sister to Js On Fire ($265,454), winner of the Boyd Morris Stakes (RG2), and As Moonflash ($135,859), winner of the Retama Championship Challenge (G3).

The victory improved Js Freightrain's record to nine wins, two seconds and two thirds from 18 starts. The $13,790 winner's share boosted her career earnings to $297,843.

Earlier this season, Js Freightrain scored back-to-back stakes victories in the Easy Date Stakes (G2) and Rocky Heinzig Stakes.

Flying Bandida and jockey Ramiro Garcia finished second for owners Shari Burger and Vickie McBee and trainer Jason Olmstead. The 4-year-old filly chased the winner and gained ground late but could not close the gap.

Bred by Shari Burger, Flying Bandida is by Flying Cowboy 123 and out of the PYC Paint Your Wagon mare Meaningful Memories. Coming off a runner-up finish in the Prairie Meadows Distaff Challenge (G3), she now has a record of 26-6-8-3 with earnings of $220,581. She opened her 2026 campaign with a victory in the Decketta Stakes (G2).

Carpe Diem Baby, a $9,000 TQHA Yearling Sale graduate, finished third under Ruben Delarosa Jr. for owner/breeders Shane and Brooke Snow and trainer Janessa Muniz. The 3-year-old filly broke alertly and vied along the inside before yielding to the top two.

By Buzzinga and out of the Separatist Baby mare Baby Separatist, Carpe Diem Baby now has a record of 13-1-3-2 with earnings of $25,703. Still in search of her first stakes victory, she was a finalist in the Sam Houston Oaks earlier this season.

Aj Gold Player, Alliekat Dynasty, Fly N Cowgirl and Socially Fun completed the order of finish.

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OPELOUSAS, LA — September 29, 2026

Evangeline Downs will kick off the American Quarter Horse season on Friday, October 2. The season will cover 46 days of racing and finishes with a monster card of 12 stake races, including the $1,000,000 LQHBA Louisiana Million, on closing night December 19. Numerous stake races and fun nights for families are scheduled for the season.

Pedro Chavarria Espinosa will be back to defend his riding title in a jockey colony that will include many familiar faces. Noe Castaneda, Leonardo Rodriguez, Juan Francisco Garcia, Jr. and Humberto Vital were the closest pursuers in the 2025 race and will look to challenge again for the top spot.

Larry Keith, Luis Martinez, Jr., Ismael Solis-Guevera and Kenneth Roberts, Sr. are among the trainers hoping to build off their top 10 finishes at the track last season. Roberts, Sr. is a recent two-time winner in the trainer race.

The first set of trials for the season are for the EVD Futurity on Friday, November 20. Trials for the EVD Derby will be held on November 21. The finals are part of the banner closing night card.

Trials for the Million will take place Friday, November 27. Trials for the LQHBA Derby and LQHBA Oaks will take place the following night.

Rf Fast Dash N Blood completed his sensational season with a gutty victory in the 2025 edition of the Million. Other recent winners include Special Wild Train B, San Lorenzo Chrome and the dead-heat in the 2022 Million with Tha Duke and San Lorenzo Jet hitting the wire together.

The closing night card will again feature a whopping 12 stake races. In addition to the $1,000,000 guaranteed LHQBA Louisiana Million (RG1) and $100,000-added LQHBA Breeders Derby (RG3), three Louisiana Champions Day stakes, each with a $100,000-guaranteed purse, highlight the card.

Family Night at the Races, including face painting, arts and crafts and a magician, will take place on the following Saturdays: October 31, November 28, and December 19. Family night activities are free and fun for all ages.

The racing schedule for the season is Wednesday through Saturday, except for the week of Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving week will feature racing on Tuesday and Wednesday, a dark day on Thanksgiving, and racing Friday and Saturday. First post each night is scheduled for 5:35pm Central Time.

For more information on Evangeline Downs visit the track’s website.

Evangeline Downs information can also be found on Twitter @EVDracing and on Facebook.

About Evangeline Downs Racetrack& Casino
Encompassing over 750 acres, Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation, features over 39,000 square feet of casino space as well a racetrack that boasts state-of-the-art facilities with a 7/8-mile turf track and a one-mile main track. The casino includes over 1,000 slot machines, two dining options, and plenty of meeting space including track-side private club suites. Evangeline Downs also includes a sportsbook in the Center Bar. For more information, visit www.evangelinedowns.com and connect on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Founded in 1975, Boyd Gaming Corporation is a leading geographically diversified operator of 28 gaming entertainment properties in 10 states, and manager of a tribal casino in northern California.

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Type
Name
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
Earnings
Cowboys Flying
6
6
0
0
$2,062,793
El Huracano V
5
3
1
1
$632,670
Ask Her To Fly
8
3
2
1
$610,175
Kj Meduzza
8
3
4
0
$605,092
Effortless Favorite
7
4
1
0
$574,790
By North American Race LeadersView Top 50 HORSES