Chilitos Wagon (#5), under jockey Jorge Mares, Jr., holds off Kj All Of The Marbles (#3) in the $20,000 Texas Hero Juvenile on Saturday at Lone Star Park.

© Dustin Orona Photography

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

GRAND PRAIRIE, TX—NOVEMBER 8, 2025—Omar Acosta’s Chilitos Wagon displayed heart and determination Saturday night at Lone Star Park, holding off late challengers to capture the $20,000 Texas Hero Juvenile for Paints and Appaloosas, two-year-olds that competed in the Texas Hero Futurity Trials but did not qualify for the final.

Ridden by Jorge Alberto Mares Jr., the sorrel gelding broke sharply and maintained a narrow advantage throughout, ultimately prevailing by a nose in the 400-yard dash under clear skies and a crosswind of nine miles per hour.

Chilitos Wagon stopped the clock in 19.868 seconds, earning a speed index of 89. The son of leading QH second-crop sire Chilitos, out of Miss Sassy Wagon by Pyc Paint Your Wagon, is trained and owned by Omar Acosta and was bred in Texas by Juan Acosta. The victory was worth $5,000 to the connections.

Winner of the TPHBA Maiden Juvenile at Lone Star Park in September, Chilitos Wagon has also finished third against Quarter Horses three times this season. He has earned a combined $16,902 in six starts.

Chilitos Wagon withstood a strong rally from Kj All Of The Marbles, who finished second by a head after a bump at the start. The son of leading APHA sire CRM Livewire from the Awesome Chrome mare Prp Sedona Sunset was ridden by Francisco Calderon for owners Dan and Kaye Jones and trained by Matt Whitekiller.

The Oklahoma-bred earned $4,000 for the runner-up effort and ran gamely in defeat after finding his best stride late. A finalist in a futurity at Remington Park in May, Kj All Of The Marble has earned $16,369 in five starts.

Finishing another head back in third was Royal Chil, also conditioned by Matt Whitekiller and ridden by Bryan Candanosa. The Texas-bred filly by Chilitos out of Sparklin Royal, by Sixes Royal, races for Amy and Brent Page and earned $3,000 for her effort. D

Despite breaking out and encountering bumping early, she recovered well and closed strongly to secure a placing. She has earned $15,198 in ten starts.

Chilitos Wagon returned $6.00 to win, $4.20 to place, and $2.80 to show. Kj All Of The Marbles paid $3.80 and $3.40, while Royal Chil returned $4.40 to show. The $1.00 Exacta (5–3) paid $13.00, the $0.50 Trifecta (5–3–7) returned $42.85, and the $0.10 Superfecta (5–3–7–9) paid $29.38.

The remaining order of finish was Cholulaa, Wl Post Malone, Just An Eagle, Go Zippalitas, Pt Chrome Spots, Barbs Captain, and Fourcrossnews.

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