Jess Rite, under jockey Oscar Andrade, Jr., won the restricted Grade 2 $55,250 Benny Pennington Memorial Stakes at Retama Park Friday.

© Coady Photography

SELMA, TX–JULY 26, 2024–Jess Rite, under jockey Oscar Andrade, Jr., stalked into the turn then swung four wide before driving to a four-length win in the 870-yard $55,250 restricted Grade 2 Benny Pennington Memorial at Retama Park on Friday.

The Texas homebred racing for owner-breeder Rose Mary Chandler completed the task in 46.681 seconds, equaling an 85 speed index into a 10 mph headwind.

Trainer Tammy Kay Johnson saddled the 4-year-old One Sweet Jess gelding to his fourth career win in 16 starts.

"We got this horse about two months ago, so we are still learning him," Johnson said in the winner's circle. I wanted to back him up to a shorter distance to see what we had, and after seeing his replays, I thought he had more speed."

The winning connections of Jess Rite accept the Benny Pennington Memorial Stakes trophy.
© Coady Photography

The $33,150 winner's purse boosted the bay gelding's earnings to $87,405.  

When asked what's next, Johnson said, "We may go for another race here, but we may go for a Challenge race as well."

Out of the Oak Tree Special mare, Twig, Jess Rite was second in the Grade 3 AQHA Lone Star Park Distance Challenge last year and fifth in the Grade 1 AQHA Distance Challenge Championship.

Runner-up Ghost Bar earned $11,050 for finishing second. Trainer Marc Junger named jockey Raul Hernandez, Jr. to ride the stakes winning son of Phantom Menace for owner Sarah Huskey. Sandra Garnett bred the $138,604 earner from the thoroughbred mare Loose Play by Intimidator.

Master Reigns finished a head back to earn $6,078 for third. Also, from the Jungers barn, Master Reigns races for owner-breeder Richard Hawkins. Luis Vivanco had the riding call aboard the 6-year-old Dash Master Jess gelding out of Dancee Reigns by He Will Reign. The stakes-placed runner has earned $61,511.

Superfragillstic, Eye Will Decide, Rock Solid Stones, and Open Jessies Corona completed the field.

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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 occur each summer, while simulcast wagering and worldwide races are shown daily. Managed by Penn Entertainment Inc. (NASDAQ – PENN), Retama Park opened in 1995 and is hosting its 30th horse racing season this year. For more information and racing schedules, please visit www.RetamaPark.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube.