Valiant Spit Curl won the $36,000 G.C.F.A. Maiden Classic Stakes (not black type) on Saturday's race card.

© Jenny Barton

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

FREDERICKSBURG, TX—JULY 19, 2025—Valiant Spit Curl lived up to her potential with a decisive victory in Saturday’s $36,000 G.C.F.A. Maiden Classic Stakes (not black type) at Gillespie County Fairground, turning in a commanding performance against a field of 10 going 350 yards.

The 3-year-old sorrel filly surged to the lead from post position seven and never looked back, crossing the wire in 17.730 seconds over a fast track while battling into an 8-mph headwind. The clocking earned her a 92 speed index.

Bred and owned by Oswaldo Hernandez of Oklahoma, Valiant Spit Curl is by Mighty B Valiant and out of Ima Classy Spit Curl, a daughter of Spit Curl Jess.

The filly is trained by Raul Rodriguez, Jr. and was guided to the wire by jockey Froylan Ramirez. The $21,600 winner’s share from the guaranteed $36,000 purse marked a significant milestone for the young runner, who was in control from the break and extended her lead with authority to finish 3¼ lengths ahead of her nearest rival.

Garnering her first win in nine career starts she boosted her bankroll to $35,198.

Second-place honors went to Tactical Feature, a 3-year-old bay gelding by second-crop sire Uncle D out of Illegal Feature, by Feature Mr Jess. Bred in Oklahoma by Stone Chase Stables LLC and purchased for $15,000 at the 2025 Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale, Tactical Feature is owned by David Stiles, trained by Arnold Lewis, and ridden by Oliver Martinez.

Despite being bumped at the start, the gelding showed determination in rallying for the runner-up spot, collecting $7,200 for the effort. A finalist in Sam Houston Derby Challenge in May, Tactical Feature has earned $17,247 in 10 starts.

Whistle Stops Eagle, a gray filly by Readi To Be Famous out of Whistle Stop B, by Freighttrain B, closed stoutly to take third after stumbling badly at the break. Bred in Oklahoma by Tim O’Roark and Rhonda Williams, she is owned by James Chivers, Jr., trained by Riley Aguilar, and ridden by Jacobo Aguilar. Her strong late rally earned her $3,600 to increase her earnings to $11,563.

Valiant Spit Curl paid $9.00 to win, $3.40 to place, and $3.20 to show. Tactical Feature returned $3.20 to place and $3.40 to show, while Whistle Stops Eagle paid $5.00 to show.

The field of ten was scratched down to nine after the withdrawal of Fdd Cupid. Following the top three under the wire were Pass Em Legend in fourth, The Ivory Venture fifth, Ukankissmegoodby Aw sixth, Chickies Menace seventh, Marie La Vo eighth, and Sister Eagle in ninth.

The race was conducted under cloudy skies with a temperature of 90 degrees. Total handle for the card reached $194,089 with an official attendance of 2,041.

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

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