Racing


Frankie Jr Makes A Strong Drive To The Finish Line In The $44,800 Silver Bullet Stakes
Frankie Jr, ridden by Victor Urienta Jr, wins the $44,800 Silver Bullet Stakes by a length on Thursday at Retama Park.

© Coady Photography
Frankie Jr Makes A Strong Drive To The Finish Line In The $44,800 Silver Bullet Stakes

SELMA, TX–JUNE 27, 2024–Frankie Jr takes home the trophy from a field of eight for his third consecutive victory this season in the $44,800 Silver Bullet Stakes at Retama Park on Thursday night.

Regular rider Victor Urieta Jr returns for the mount aboard Frankie Jr in a gate-to-wire one-length victory over Tempting Alibi and jockey Luis Vivanco. The son of Kas Tempting clocked a 95 speed index in :16.879 seconds. The heavy favorite's 330-yard victory paid $3.00 to win on 2/1 odds.

Frankie Jr, who just came off a win in an allowance race earlier this month, also won the Sam Houston Derby Challenge Stakes in May. Tonight's victory makes his second career stakes win, improving his record to 4-2-1 from nine starts. The $26,880 winner's share of the purse boosted his bankroll to $107,374.

Until this year, Frankie Jr hadn't won a stakes race, but he placed second in the Old South Futurity from his freshman campaign.

Leading trainer Juan Diaz Jr saddled Frankie Jr for owner Jimme Rodriguez. Angel, Laurel and Garza bred the three-year-old gelding in Texas out of Fear This Stoli by Stoli.

The winning connections of Frankie Jr accept the $44,800 Silver Bullet Stakes trophy at Retama Park on Thursday. © Coady Photography

Tempting Alibi chased Frankie Jr from the gates but was no match, placing second.

The three-year-old Texas-bred has three career wins, including the Leon Bard Memorial Stakes in his last out at Sam Houston Race Park. He has earned $60,741 for his owner Nava Cruz, who purchased him for $32,500 in the TQHA Yearling Sale.

Michael Amburn bred the Jose Sanchez-trained gelding. Tempting Alibi is sired by Tempting Dash and out of Tinalicious by Shazoom.

Mp Just Rip It placed third with Froylan Ramirez in the irons. The four-time winner has yet to win a stakes race but placed third in his last two this year: the Sam Houston 250 Stakes and Leon Bard Memorial Stakes. He has earned $68,051 for his owner/trainer, Manuel Roman, who paid $4,500 for his in the 2022 TQHA Yearling Sale.

The three-year-old son of Mr Piloto was bred by Kyle Springer. He is out of Hf Just Rip It by First To Shine.

Lgm Flirting Hero, Vodka From Texas, Boss Hawk, Left, and Liberator found out the order of finish.

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About Retama Park
Retama Park is a Class 1 pari-mutuel horse racetrack located in Selma, Texas, just 20 minutes from downtown San Antonio. Live Quarter Horse races take place each summer, while simulcast wagering and races from around the world are available to watch and wager on Wednesday through Sunday. Managed by Penn Entertainment Inc., Retama Park opened in 1995 and will host its 30th year of racing beginning on June 27, 2024. For more information and racing schedules, please visit www.RetamaPark.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube.