Jess Kissing Beau, ridden by Victor Urieta, Jr, wins the the $57,500 Miss Retama Stakes trophy at Retama Park on Friday.

© Coady Photography

SELMA, TX–JULY 26, 2024–Jess Kissing Beau gets her first win since 2022 in the $57,500 Miss Retama Stakes on Friday night at Retama Park.

The four-year-old filly had a four-run win streak in 2022 but didn't return to the track in 2023. Her first race back since her freshman campaign was in June of this year in the Miss Sam Houston Stakes, where she placed sixth to the winner First Time For Wine. But with Victor Urieta, Jr. in the irons tonight, she didn't hold back, winning in a photo finish by a nose over the favorite First Time For Wine and rider Oscar Andrade, Jr.

Jess Kissing Beau broke last from the gates but made quick strides to catch the lead at the wire and clocked an 85 speed index in 20.342 seconds. The 400-yard victory paid $9.40 to win on 7/2 odds.

First Time For Wine led most of the trip but was out-finished for second. One Famous Lil Lady, piloted by Ali Rivera, followed a half-length behind for third.

The winning connections of Jess Kissing Beau accept the $57,500 Miss Retama Stakes trophy at Retama Park on Friday. © Coady Photography

The victory improved Jess Kissing Beau's race record to five wins from ten starts and boosted her earnings to $66,550 for owner/breeder Francisco Javier Garza. Juan Diaz, Jr. trains the first-time stakes winning daughter of Kiss My Hocks. She was bred in Texas out of the Apollitical Jess mare Jess Jumpn Beau.

Runner-up First Time For Wine was bred in Texas out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Time For Wine. The four-year-old daughter of First Moonflash has lit the board 13 of 17 starts with $102,259 in the bank.

The Miss Retama Stakes is One Famous Lil Lady's fifth stakes competition this year. She was also a finalist in the Junos Request Stakes [G1], Easy Date Stakes [G2], Decketta Stakes [G2], and Selma Stakes.

The five-year-old stakes-winning daughter of One Famous Eagle has four career wins with $107,611 in the bank. She is out of the First Down Dash mare Lady Lilia.

John Stinebaugh trains First Time For Wine and One Famous Eagle for owner/breeder Pete Scarmardo of Texas.

Wagons Moving First, Dm Bella Star, Dakota Gurl, Five Bar Lady and Crimson Cash complete the order of finish. Bella Pyc and Boks Dream Catcher 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.