Eagles Up, under jockey Luis L. Vivanco, drives to the fastest qualifying time for the $110,000 TQHA Sires' Cup Derby at Retama Park Saturday night.

© Jack Coady Photography

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

SELMA, TX—AUGUST 2, 2025—Three competitive trials were held Saturday at Retama Park for the $110,000 TQHA Sires' Cup Derby, with the ten fastest 3-year-olds sired by participating stallions securing spots in the 400-yard final to be run on Sunday, August 16.

Eagles Up, a $75,000 purchase from the 2024 Heritage Place Fall Mixed Sale, posted the fastest qualifying time of the day, winning the second trial in a sharp 20.243 seconds under jockey Luis L. Vivanco.

Trained by Jose Sanchez for Mario H. Vazquez and Jumonville Farms, the son of champion sire One Famous Eagle, out of U R Blue by Walk Thru Fire, dueled early before pulling clear for a convincing win over Dm Chasing Money.

The multiple stakes-placed Louisiana-bred colt was bred by Jumonville Farms and earned a 94 speed index for his effort. Second in the EVD Futurity(G2) last year and third in the Sam Houston Derby(G3) two races back, Eagles Up has earned $112,743.

From the opening trial, Marfalous impressed with a determined finish to set the second-fastest clocking of 20.288. Owned by Leviram Racing LLC and trained by Dimas Sanchez, the Texas-bred gelding was ridden by Victor Manuel Urieta, Jr.

The son of multiple stakes sire The Marfa Lights, out of Mystical Desire by Desirio, surged late to take the win by a length. Bred by Juan M Jr and Jairo Lozano, Marfalous was a $10,000 RNA at the 2023 TQHA Yearling Sale and has earned $98,362.

Third-fastest on the day was Dm Chasing Money, finishing a strong second to Eagles Up in the second trial with a time of 20.312. The homebred gelding by This Is An Eagle, out of Dm Maryanna by The Louisiana Cartel, races for owner-breeder Donna Mushinski, and Kie Mushinski conditions the Texas-bred.

Froylan Tellez Ramirez had the call on the stakes-placed gelding, who displayed tenacity in defeat.

Multiple stakes winner Flyin Chilitos won the last trial for the fourth fastest time of 20.243, a 94 speed index. Leonel Hernandez trains the Chilitos gelding for owner Omar Paredes.

Claudia Miranda bred the gelding in Texas from the Louisiana Senator mare Sensational Senator. He has won five races and earned over $120,000.

The TQHA Sires' Cup Derby is restricted to 3-year-olds sired by participating stallions. All trials were contested at 400 yards over a fast track with zero wind.

CLICK HERE for the list of qualifiers, including times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers, and jockeys.

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