Hes A Jet One (#5) gets up over Dm Moonpie in the restricted Grade 2 $66,750 TQHA Classic at Retama Park Friday.

© Coady Photography

SELMA, TX–JULY 26, 2024—Hes A Jet One has been knocking at the stakes door in his last two starts. It opened tonight as jockey Ali Rivera got a head bob over post-time favorite Dm Moonpie to win the $66,750 restricted Grade 2 TQHA Classic Stakes at Retama Park.

Zackery Stinebaugh saddled Hes A Jet One for his dad, leading trainer John Stinebaugh. The 4-year-old son of champion Ec Jet One completed the 400 yards in 20.014 seconds, equaling a 93-speed index into a 6 mph headwind.

"They just had a tough go last time, but both Hes A Jet One and Jess The Leader (who finished third) are really nice horses," Zack Stinebaugh said after the race. Jess The Leader had a couple of rough starts, but he's improving. He pushed at the end and got the job done."

The six-time winner races for owner-breeder Pete Scarmardo. Bred from the Swingin Jess mare Shez Dead Serious, Hes A Jet One picked up $40,050, increasing his earnings to $168,732.

The winning connections of Hes A Jet One accept the TQHA Classic Stakes trophy. © Coady Photography

"I was hoping he had enough to hook up with the other horse, and we were just fortunate enough to win it tonight," Scarmardo said.

Dm Moonpie, a $163,324 stakes-winning son of champion Moonin The Eagle, picked up $13,350 for second. Kie Mushinski trains the gelding out of Dm Bella Mia by Prime Talent for owner-breeder Donna Mushinski. Luis Vivanco was up.

Scarmardo's other homebred, Jess The Leader, earned $7,343 for third. Trainer John Stinebaugh named jockey Oscar Andrade, Jr. to ride the Jess Louisiana Blue gelding, which is out of Cartel Leader by Corona Cartel. A multiple-graded stakes winner, Jess The Leader, has earned $387,960.

Kartendo Fast Dash and Grade N Dash completed the field. Brock Landers and Jb Shiner Bok were scratched by their trainers.

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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.