Under jockey Gilberto Linares, I B A Big Girl posted the fastest time from 11 trials contested Saturday night at Retama Park for the restricted Grade 1 $614,485 TQHA Sale Futurity.

© Jack Coady Photography

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

SELMA, TX—JULY 13, 2025—Following eleven competitive trials run at Retama Park on Saturday night, the ten fastest 2-year-olds who passed through the 2024 TQHA Yearling Sale will return for the restricted Grade 1 $614,485 TQHA Sale Futurity final on Saturday, July 26.

The 350-yard final shapes up to be one of the richest and most anticipated races of the Retama Park meet for juveniles.

Setting the bar in the trials was I B A Big Girl, a gray filly by New Mexico sire Big Daddy Cartel out of I B Jessie Jane by Jesse James Jr, who stopped the clock in 18.004 to secure the fastest qualifying time.

Owned by Barbee and Shane Beer and trained by John A. Stinebaugh, the filly was bred by Shane and/or Barbee Beer in Texas. Gilberto Linares was aboard for the trial win in the second heat, where she drove clear to a one-length victory over a good field.

A $70,000 repurchase at the 2024 TQHA Yearling Sale, I B A Big Girl has won two of four starts and banked $16,781.

The second-fastest qualifier, Eagle On A June Bug, posted an impressive 18.024 in the opening trial of the day. The sorrel gelding is by multiple stakes sire Eagles Fly Higher out of Sandy June Bug by Blushing Bug.

Bred by Robert T. Moudy III in Texas, he races for Sergio Jimenez and Enrique Santollo and is conditioned by Victor Oviedo. H. Javier Hernandez guided the gelding to a strong driving finish after dueling early.

The $20,000 TQHA Yearling Sale graduate has won two of three starts and banked $67,916 after finishing second in the Grade 2 Louisiana Downs Futurity in March.

Completing the top three is $17,000 TQHA graduate Brother Gaga, who lit up the board at long odds in the eleventh and final trial with a game effort of 18.068.

The sorrel gelding is by This Is An Eagle out of Papa Larrys Girl by Papa Larry. Bred by Billy Dan Dodd in Texas and owned by Alfredo Cantu, Brother Gaga is trained by Jorge Luis Muniz with Alejandro Ochoa riding. The gelding dueled throughout before digging in gamely to hold off late challengers to break his maiden in this third career start.

The lucrative final will run Saturday, July 26, back at Retama Park in Selma, Texas. The field is exclusively for 2-year-olds that went through the TQHA Yearling Sale ring in 2024, continuing the tradition of showcasing the best Texas-bred Quarter Horse prospects.

The top ten fastest will vie for the winner’s share of the $614,485 purse at the 350-yard distance. CLICK HERE for a list with times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers, and jockeys.

The second 10 fastest qualifiers will return Saturday, July 26, to compete in the $49,823 TQHA Sale Juvenile. For a list of those horses, CLICK HERE.

StallioneSearch will have complete coverage of the TQHA Sale Futurity final, including post positions and analysis in our "Preview Section" leading up to the big night.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Would you like more industry news delivered directly to your inbox? Click here to sign up.