Kiss A Favorite, under jockey Martin Munoz, posted the fastest qualifying time from four trials contested Thursday at Horseshoe Indianapolis for the Jaguar Rocket Futurity.

© Coady Media

By David Smith, StallionSearch

SHELBYVILLE, IN–JUNE 26, 2025–Kiss A Favorite turned in the top qualifying time Thursday evening at Horseshoe Indianapolis, dominating the final of four trials to head the field for the restricted $134,200 Jaguar Rocket Futurity final set for July 19.

The 350-yard sprint is limited to Accredited Indiana-Sired 2-Year-Olds.

Racing from post eight under jockey Martin Munoz, Kiss A Favorite broke sharply and took command early en route to a one-length victory, stopping the clock in a swift 17.673 over a fast track, a 95 speed index with a 5-mph crosswind.

The bay filly is trained and owned by Ricardo Martinez, who also bred the first time winner in Indiana. Kiss A Favorite is by Kiss My Hocks and out of Eyes A Favorite, a daughter of leading sire Favorite Cartel. In three previous starts at Remington Park she had a second and third-place finish.

Cowgirl Beach, under jockey Giovani Vazquez-Gomez, winning the opening trial Thursday night.
© Coady Media

Kiss A Favorite was the favorite, paying $3.80 for the win.

Qualifying second was Cowgirl Beach, who captured her trial with authority in Race 9. The Flying Cowboy 123 filly, out of Coco Beach by Escondido Beach, broke her maiden in her second start by three-quarters of a length in 17.699, 94 speed index.

Bred by Sheri Miller and sold for $43,000 at the 2024 Heritage Place Yearling Sale, Cowgirl Beach is trained by Jessica A. Vazquez and was ridden by Giovani Vazquez-Gomez for owner Darryl Murray.

"I was just worried that she (Cowgirl Beach) wouldn’t handle pressure inside the gates, that was my main concern, " said Vazquez, who is the track’s all-time leading female Quarter Horse trainer. "I know she could do it if she broke out of there. She’s always been good about breaking and she’s a runner."

Completing the top three qualifiers was Candysfirst, a consistent filly who finished second to Kiss A Favorite in their trial with a solid effort. The daughter of Jess Good Candy out of Red Envelope, by First Down Dash, was clocked in 17.833, a 91 speed index.

She is trained by Tim Eggleston and was piloted by Luis Eduardo Luna Diaz. Candysfirst was bred in Indiana by her owners Steve and Ashley Mullins.

Thirty Six Bricks (17.986) and Vikina (17.986) had the same times in a quest for a top 10 spot. A shake will take place to determine the horse that advances to the final.

Both Tim Eggleston and Claudio Barraza will saddle three for the final. Eggleston had Candysfirst, Code Blu, and Jess R Patriot qualify while Barraza will saddle Queenvn Chic, Tessla, and Ima Dashin Cartel. All trial winners are advancing to the final (Kiss A Favorite, Cowgirl Beach, Queenvn Chic, and Code Blu).

The Jaguar Rocket Futurity Final will be featured during the all-Quarter Horse racing program at 10:45 a.m. Saturday, July 19 at Horseshoe Indianapolis. The day features more than a half million in purses with four stakes on the program.

CLICK HERE for a list of Jaguar Rocket Futurity finalists, with times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys.

Trials for the Gordon Mobley, Heartland Futurity, and Blue River Derby are set over the next few days to determine the final fields for Quarter Horse Stakes Day. Nationally known racing analyst Martha Claussen will be trackside to help present all races.

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