Gangster Grip, ridden by Nestor Duran, wins the $30,000 G.C.F.A Juvenile Stakes at Gillespie County Fair.

FREDERICKSBURG, TX–JULY 20, 2024–Gangster Grip gets his first career win Saturday evening in the $30,000 G.C.F.A Juvenile Stakes at Gillespie County Fair.

Nestor Duran rode Gangster Grip to victory in :17.253 seconds. He clocked a 90-speed index on the 330 straightaway, defeating Moonpike, ridden by Luis Vivanco, by a neck. The slight upset on 8/1 odds paid $11.00 to win on a $2.00 wager.

Randall Read saddled the son of Kvn Corona for owner Michael Read. The $11,400 winner's share boosted his earnings to $16,110, improving his race record to 1-1-1 from six starts.

Jamie and Wendy Howard of Oklahoma bred Gangster Grip out of Easy On The Grip by Easy On Cash.

Runner-up Moonpike boosted his earnings to $10,500 for owner 2LD Farm, LLC. Trained by Gary Jacobs, the son of Painted Turnpike has one win and one second from two starts. Lisa Lucido bred the chestnut gelding in Texas out of Moonlight Who by The Way Home.

Jockey Cipriano Vidana piloted Vp Prize Time Heart to third. Alex Villarreal saddled the son of Pyc Prize Time for owner/breeder Francisco Rene Villarreal. The Texas-bred gelding out of Double Dashing Girl by Dos Poruno has yet to break his maiden from four starts with $4,692 in the bank.

Fast N Loose, Shadows Of The Fire, Crb Beauti, Crb Love, Vp Wired To Win and Vp Smokey Caboosie round out the order of finish.

Editor's note: A photo of this race will be posted with this article as soon as it is available from the track photographer.