From posting the fastest qualifying time from post number one at 13-1 odds to scoring a neck victory from post number 10 as the 2-1 favorite in the Grade 1, $1,164,150 Golden State Million Futurity, La Feliz Montana Ranch LLC’s Lightning Vaquera has been a thundering force in her two starts since arriving at Los Alamitos.

Ridden by Gerardo Vera for trainer Manuel Rodolfo Rodriguez, the filly by Flying Cowboy 123 was fifth at the start of the Golden State Million final, but just like her name says, she was a flash of speed once she hit top gear. Taking the lead before the midway point, she held off Demler Quarter Horses’ Revenantly to win the second-richest Quarter Horse race contested so far in 2026.

Lightning Vaquera, who arrived after finishing out of the money in her starts at The Downs at Albuquerque, delivered two stellar performances under the lights at Los Alamitos. Her Golden State trial win was similar in style to her victory in the final, as she left the gate with the pack before accelerating quickly to take the lead and never looking back.

Then, in the Golden State Million final, track announcer Michael Wrona proclaimed in his race call that “Lightning strikes twice” just as the Sam Green-bred filly from New Mexico hit the wire first to win the 400-yard race. Covering the distance in :19.768, Lightning Vaquera earned $488,943 for the win. Revenantly, who was ridden by Christian Cardenas for trainer James J. Gonzales II, earned $197,905 for running second. The A Revenant colt, who was bred by Flag Ranch LLC, was the second-fastest qualifier from the trials, his time trailing only Lightning Vaquera’s clocking.

Owned by La Feliz Montana and Tabasco Racing LLC, Luxury Sin Tacha broke evenly with Lightning Vaquera as they both trailed Revenantly during the early going, and the Rodriguez trainee continued gamely through the lane to finish third. The Oklahoma-bred gelding by second-crop sire Dulce Sin Tacha earned $139,698 for his effort.

Lightning Vaquera, meanwhile, improved her record to two victories from four starts while giving her jockey, Gerardo Vera, the richest victory of his riding career. Vera credited Lightning Vaquera’s patient demeanor before the start as a key to victory, as there was a delay in the loading process.

“She was a little hesitant out of the gate since (Faultless acted up),” Vera said. “She didn’t know, but she was real quick out of there and she dominated them. I could see (Revenantly) right next to me, but she just kept grabbing that bit and getting stronger. It’s a blessing.”

The big change in post position from the trials to the final for the lightly raced fastest qualifier was among the storylines leading into this race, but Lightning Vaquera made it a non-factor.

“There’s always nerves, but thankfully everything went great and she won the race,” said owner Javier Rodriguez of La Feliz Montana. “When you have a final like this, of this magnitude, there’s always going to be great horses, good horses. I’m thankful to the team, my brother (Manuel Rodriguez), everyone, and thankfully things turned out well.”

Rodriguez was thrilled to have Gerardo Vera be a part of this victory.

“Gerardo is a hard worker. He helped me in Albuquerque, and I had to beg him to come and help us over here in California. He’s here every day galloping the horses. His girlfriend is Meagan Byers, who is Manny’s assistant. She’s a hard-working girl as well. (2025 AQHA champion jockey) Luis Martinez picked Luxury Sin Tacha, who ran third and is also a tremendous horse. Things turned out good.

“We have Happy Flying Bird and Blueyy on the backside here as well. They worked this morning and they worked amazingly. They ran third and fourth in the All American and we’re looking forward to seeing them race here.”

Trainer Manuel Rodriguez added that Lightning Vaquera “has been improving and she’s kept on improving. This was a very tough race with some great competitors. It was a bit close, but we won it. She always showed a lot of talent, from the beginning. We always had a lot of confidence in her. She had a little problem that we’d been addressing. I think we’ve got it and we’ve solved the problem and there she is, first at the finish line.

“Meagan is a great worker. She’s at the barn at 4 a.m. every day. The whole team has been great. It’s an awesome team and that’s what it takes to accomplish what we got tonight. I think we have it so dialed in that every piece of the puzzle is there and it shows the results with every single horse that we’ve got. We’ve been lucky and we like the environment.”

In addition to saddling Lightning Vaquera and Luxury Sin Tacha, Rodriguez also trains Jess Loaded and Jess B Boujee, who ran seventh and eighth in this race. He also trains Happy Flying Bird and Blueyy, who are expected to make their local debuts in the trials to the Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity on Sunday, November 22.

Johnny Trotter’s homebred filly Cartel Cowgirl 123, who previously competed in the Grade 1 Rainbow Futurity, earned $81,490 for running fourth. She broke just behind Revenantly and was among the leaders the entire way before settling for fourth place.

The complete order of finish is as follows: Lightning Vaquera, Revenantly, Luxury Sin Tacha, Cartel Cowgirl 123, Fearless Family, Nuclear Arsenal, Jess Loaded, Jess B Boujee, Zero Down, and Faultless.

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Multiple Grade 1 winner Favorite Jesshawk SI 96, a four-time stakes winner with career earnings of $493,939, will retire from racing following the 2026 season and begin his stallion career at Louisiana Center for Equine Reproduction in Opelousas, Louisiana, in 2027. His introductory breeding fee has been set at $3,500.

The 4-year-old chestnut son of multiple stakes sire A Mere Felix, out of the stakes-winning One Sweet Jess mare Jess Hawk, is owned by EG High Desert Farms LLC and will stand as a Louisiana-bred stallion.

“We're excited to welcome Favorite Jesshawk to our stallion roster for 2027,” said Stephen Deville, breeding manager at Louisiana Center for Equine Reproduction. “He's the kind of horse breeders are looking for—a multiple Grade 1 winner who proved himself at two, three, and four against some of the best horses in the country. His pedigree is equally impressive, especially with the success of his full brother Jess Im Worth It and the strength of the Favorite Cartel sire line.

We are extremely thankful to EG High Desert Farms for this opportunity to represent their outstanding stallion outside of California. We believe Favorite Jesshawk has all the credentials to become an exceptional sire, and we're looking forward to introducing him to Louisiana breeders,” he concluded.

Before beginning his breeding career, Favorite Jesshawk is expected to make one of his final racing appearances in the prestigious Grade 1, $700,000 Champion of Champions at Los Alamitos Race Course on Saturday, December 12. He earned his berth by winning the Grade 1 Brad McKinzie Winter Championship earlier this year.

A Proven Grade 1 Performer

Favorite Jesshawk has established himself among California's accomplished runners, compiling seven wins, seven seconds, and two thirds from 20 career starts while earning $493,939 through October 27.

His four stakes victories include the Grade 1 Governor's Cup Futurity, Grade 1 Brad McKinzie Winter Championship, Grade 2 Golden State Derby, and Los Alamitos Two Million Juvenile Stakes.

As a 2-year-old, Favorite Jesshawk won five of nine starts and earned $269,201, highlighted by his Governor's Cup Futurity victory. He also finished third in the Grade 1 Golden State Million Futurity.

At three, he added the Golden State Derby to his résumé and finished second in both the Grade 2 Governor's Cup Derby and Grade 2 Southern California Derby. His sophomore campaign produced $145,328 in earnings, and he earned California Hi-Point Three-Year-Old Colt honors.

Returning at four in 2026, Favorite Jesshawk captured the Grade 1 Brad McKinzie Winter Championship, defeating the newly crowned AQHA Racing Champion 2-Year-Old and 2-Year-Old Colt of 2024, Lethal Cowboy 123. He finished second in the Grade 1 Robert L. Boniface Los Alamitos Invitational Championship in his last start and has earned $79,410 from two starts this season.

His consistency against elite competition, including victories at two, three, and four, gives the young stallion a racing résumé that combines juvenile ability, durability, and success at the highest levels of Quarter Horse racing.

A Rising Sire Line Through Favorite Cartel

Favorite Jesshawk is a son of A Mere Felix SI 95, a stakes-winning and multiple Grade 1 stakes siring son of Favorite Cartel who has quickly established himself as a promising young sire.

From three crops of racing age, A Mere Felix has sired 19 winners and three stakes winners from 37 starters, with progeny earnings totaling $1,579,559.

His leading performers include Grade 1 Ed Burke Million Futurity winner Jess Im Worth It SI 95 ($665,234), Favorite Jesshawk ($493,939), and stakes-winning juvenile A Mere Andrea ($32,175).

Favorite Jesshawk is a paternal grandson of Favorite Cartel SI 104, one of the industry's most influential contemporary sires. Through October 27, Favorite Cartel has sired 1,008 winners, 158 stakes winners, and eight champions from 12 crops of racing age, with progeny earnings exceeding $67.5 million.

Among his outstanding runners are three-time champion Cyber Attack ($1,721,346), champion Trane Station V ($1,754,152), Cartel Jess Rockin ($849,101), Tell Cartel ($796,386) and Golden Boi ($721,647).

Favorite Cartel's influence is increasingly evident through his sons at stud, with three ranking among the leading young sires of 2026.

Golden Boi currently leads the nation's first-year sires with $1,709,334 in progeny earnings from 34 winners and two stakes winners. His leading earner is El Huracano V ($632,670).

Cyber Monday heads the second-year sire standings with $3,071,964 in progeny earnings, 81 winners, and three stakes winners. His leading earner is Fall Classic ($530,970).

Another Favorite Cartel son, Tell Cartel, ranks fourth among third-year sires with $1,324,578 in progeny earnings, 36 winners, and four stakes winners. His leading earner is the Dash For Cash Futurity (G2) winner JT Midlife Crisis ($292,222).

The success of these young stallions demonstrates Favorite Cartel's growing importance as a sire of sires and provides an encouraging foundation for Favorite Jesshawk as he enters the breeding industry through his sire, A Mere Felix.

Outstanding Female Family Producing Grade 1 Winners

Favorite Jesshawk's female family offers an equally compelling foundation for his breeding career.

His dam, Jess Hawk SI 99, a daughter of One Sweet Jess, won six races and earned $157,951 while competing against top California runners. Her stakes victories included the Grade 3 Miss Princess Handicap and Pat Hyland Memorial Handicap.

She also finished second in the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Winter Derby and third in the Grade 1 Brad McKinzie Winter Championship, earning California Hi-Point Aged Mare honors.

Jess Hawk has developed into an exceptional producer, with all five of her starters becoming winners.

In addition to Favorite Jesshawk, she produced his full brother Jess Im Worth It SI 95, winner of the Grade 1 Ed Burke Million Futurity and runner-up in the Grade 1 Golden State Million Futurity. Jess Im Worth It earned $665,234 during his juvenile campaign.

Another full sibling, A Mere Andrea SI 87, has emerged as a stakes-winning 2-year-old in 2026, capturing the Ed Burke Memorial Juvenile Stakes and California Juvenile Gold Rush Stakes while earning $32,175.

The three full siblings have combined earnings of $1,191,348, underscoring the strength and consistency of the A Mere Felix–Jess Hawk cross.

Jess Hawk is also the dam of stakes-placed Jess Luna SI 81 and winner Grover SI 96.

The family traces through Favorite Jesshawk's second dam, Merridoc Hawk SI 100, a multiple graded stakes winner by Hawkinson who earned $219,912.

Merridoc Hawk captured the Grade 1 Mildred N. Vessels Memorial Handicap, Grade 2 California Breeders' Matron Stakes, and Grade 3 Kaweah Bar Handicap. She was also a finalist in the prestigious Grade 1 Champion of Champions.

The presence of two successive generations of accomplished stakes-winning mares, combined with multiple Grade 1 performers among Jess Hawk's offspring, gives Favorite Jesshawk a strong maternal pedigree to complement his sire line.

Louisiana Breeding Opportunity for 2027

Favorite Jesshawk will enter stud at Louisiana Center for Equine Reproduction, located at 5124 Highway 182 in Opelousas, Louisiana.

The facility is owned by a partnership headed by veterinarian Dr. Eddie Cramer, with Stephen Deville serving as breeding manager.

His introductory 2027 breeding fee is $3,500, and he will stand as a Louisiana-bred stallion.

With Grade 1 victories at two and four, a Grade 2 derby victory at three, and a pedigree combining the emerging sire power of Favorite Cartel with a highly productive female family, Favorite Jesshawk offers breeders across the Southwest an opportunity to access a proven California stakes performer.

His anticipated appearance in the December 12 Champion of Champions will provide a final opportunity to add to his accomplishments before transitioning to the breeding shed.

For additional information or breeding contracts, contact Louisiana Center for Equine Reproduction at (337) 407-0708, or breeding manager Stephen Deville at (225) 202-2104.

Email inquiries may be directed to laceroffice@gmail.com, or visit www.laequine.com.

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All-time leading money-earning Quarter Horse Kj Desparado added another Grade 1 victory to his remarkable career Saturday night, holding off a determined Stetsonn by a neck in the $290,375 AQHA Racing Challenge Championship (G1) at The Downs at Albuquerque.

The 7-year-old gelding, sent off as the 6-5 favorite, completed the 440 yards in 21.063 seconds, earning a 98 speed index over a fast racing surface while facing a 4-mph headwind.

Ridden by Noe Garcia Jr. for trainer Wesley T. Giles, Kj Desparado broke sharply from post six, established an early advantage, and maintained a narrow lead through the stretch. Under a strong drive, the veteran champion turned back Stetsonn's challenge to secure the $133,573 winner's share.

The victory increased Kj Desparado's career earnings to $3,617,850, further extending his position as the richest racing American Quarter Horse in history.

Owned by John Lee, Kathy Lee, and Ruben Mares, Kj Desparado is a 7-year-old brown gelding by leading sire Apollitical Jess out of Tres Veses, by Tres Seis. He was bred in Arizona by L&L Land & Cattle.

Saturday's victory improved his career record to 19 wins, 11 seconds, and one third from 38 starts.

Kj Desparado's extraordinary racing career includes victories in the All American Futurity (G1), Texas Classic Futurity (G1), Ruidoso Derby (G1), All American Derby (G1), Texas Classic Derby (G1), All American Gold Cup (G1), and two editions of the Refrigerator Championship (G1), among other major stakes.

His latest championship triumph added another prestigious title to a career that has spanned five racing seasons and established him among the sport's all-time greats.

Stetsonn, a 4-year-old gelding by champion Jess Good Candy, turned in a determined runner-up performance, finishing a neck behind the winner and earning $58,075.

Breaking from post seven under champion jockey James A. Flores, Stetsonn raced prominently throughout, dueling with the winner before narrowly missing in the final strides.

Trained by Dean R. Frey for owners G. R. Carter Jr. and Shaena Carter, Stetsonn is a home bred for the Carters. He is out of Stella Lou, by One Famous Eagle.

Stetsonn was an $18,000 RNA at the 2023 Ruidoso Yearling Sale.

The gelding has compiled five wins and one second from 10 career starts, with earnings of $201,029. His accomplishments include a victory in the Remington Park Championship Challenge Stakes (G2), along with finalist appearances in the Ruidoso Derby (G1) and Remington Park Derby (RG1).

Scoops Dynasty completed the trifecta, finishing another half-length behind Stetsonn to earn $29,038 for owner Edward J. McNelis.

The 7-year-old gelding, ridden by Jacob Enriquez for trainer Diego Cervantes, raced in fourth early before advancing into third and holding that position by a neck.

Bred by Edward J. and Von Zae McNelis, Scoops Dynasty is by five-time world champion sire FDD Dynasty out of Bye Sweet Girl, by Dashin Bye.

An accomplished Grade 1 winner himself, Scoops Dynasty has earned $844,725 from 36 career starts, recording 11 wins, nine seconds, and four thirds.

His stakes victories include the AQHA Racing Challenge Championship (G1), two editions of the Go Man Go Handicap (G1), Los Alamitos Winter Derby (G1), and Golden State Derby (G2).

Hooked N Gone finished fourth, a neck behind Scoops Dynasty, followed by Mysterious Cartel in fifth, Bold N Beautiful in sixth, Eagles Up in seventh, Bee A Freight Train in eighth, Shaundas Eagle in ninth, and Shakers No Secret in tenth.

The championship highlighted Saturday night's AQHA Racing Challenge Championship program at The Downs at Albuquerque, bringing together some of the nation's most accomplished older Quarter Horses.

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Rojas Racing’s homebred filly Jaque, who ignited her career with a pair of victories followed by a strong third-place finish in the Grade 2 Robert Adair Kindergarten Futurity, looks to return to the winner's circle when she takes on a solid group of juveniles in Saturday night’s featured $13,600 allowance race at 350 yards at Los Alamitos.

The eight-race program will also feature a $32,613 Pick Six Carryover and with the new money to be wagered on Saturday, the total pool could be over $120,000. Saturday night's live racing program at Los Alamitos gets underway after a huge simulcast day of racing highlighted by the Breeders’ Cup to be held at Keeneland. Los Alamitos will open its gates at 8 a.m. with the Vessels Club opening at 9 a.m. For Vessels Club reservations call 714-820-2681.

Jaque will face a quality field that also features George Seward and Fernando Manriquez’s Demarus, a talented gelding by Dulce Sin Tacha who ran fourth in the Grade 1, $1,159,000 Heritage Place Futurity at Remington Park on May 30. Bred by Valley Farm out of the $49,000 earner Indie Anna, Demarus began his career with back-to-back victories, including a half-length win in his Heritage Place trial. Now trained by Eddie Willis, Demarus will be ridden by Justine Klaiber. Edwin Escobedo piloted him in his three starts at Remington Park and was impressed by the gelding from the start.

“After I worked him the first time, I called my agent and told him that he was one of the fastest 2-year-olds I had been on all winter,” Escobedo said during an interview on the Heritage Place Sale YouTube Channel. “He’s a competitive force and he gets mad when there’s a horse next to him. He wants to get tough, he wants to do more and he wants to get ahead.”

Klaiber, the meet’s co-leading rider, will be aboard Demarus from post position one for his California debut.

Similarly to Demarus, Jaque has consistently faced top-tier competition. Trained by Jose Flores, the KVN Corona filly was an impressive 1¼-length winner in her racing debut on March 21—a 220-yard dash that marked the very first race of the season for two-year-olds. She followed up with another sharp victory in her Kindergarten trial before running a game third in the Kindergarten final behind Call Me Candela. The talented youngster subsequently gained greater experience against top notch rivals in trials for both the Ed Burke Million Futurity and the PCQHRA Breeders Futurity, picking up a third and a sixth-place finish along the way.

As she returns to the allowance ranks, Jaque will look to flash the early speed that carried her to back-to-back victories in the early spring. She boasts a strong pedigree as well; her dam, Ivys Storm, is a multiple stakes-placed earner of $43,000 who hit the board in the 2015 Golden State Juvenile Stakes and Holiday Handicap.

The feature event has drawn several other notable contenders, including EG High Desert Farms’ L A Ravin, who ran a sharp second in her 400-yard trial to the Golden State Million Futurity. A two-time winner in her career, L A Ravin briefly led in that high-level trial before giving way late. Perhaps Saturday's cutback in distance will play heavily to her strengths.

The competitive field is rounded out by Dice Game, El Emperador D, Go Go Ki Ki Go, and Gunz An Roses. The latter arrives with sharp credentials, having won two of three career starts, capped by a victory in the AQRA Open President's Spring Juvenile Stakes at Turf Paradise on May 2.

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