Eye Will Decide ridden by Noe Villatoro, draws away to win the Grade 3 $55,000 Jesse Yoakum Memorial 870 Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park on June 13.

© Jack Coady Photography

By Emily Paulk, StallioneSearch

HOUSTON, TX–JUNE 13, 2026–Eye Will Decide added another stakes victory to his resume Saturday night at Sam Houston Race Park, winning the Grade 3 $55,000 Jesse Yoakum Memorial 870 Stakes for accredited Texas-breds. The eight-year-old gelding covered 870 yards in :45.492 while facing a 10 mph headwind.

Owned and bred by Byron Gardner, Eye Will Decide was ridden by Noe Villatoro and trained by Adan Guzman. Breaking sharply from the rail, the veteran gelding controlled the pace throughout before drawing away in the stretch to score by five lengths over Master Reigns.

The son of Majestic Cartel is out of the stakes-winning Valiant Hero mare Valiant Lil Lady. The victory was the seventh of his career from 33 starts and increased his bankroll to $234,142 after earning the $33,000 winner's share of the purse. Eye Will Decide is also a multiple stakes winner whose resume includes victories in the San Marcos Stakes and the 2023 edition of the Jesse Yoakum Memorial 870 Stakes.

The winning connections of Eye Will Decide accept the $55,000 Jesse Yoakum Memorial 870 Stakes trophy on Saturday at Sam Houston Race Park.
© Jack Coady Photography

Master Reigns finished second under Raul Hernandez Jr. for owner Bronc Richard Hawkins and trainer Marc Jungers. The seven-year-old gelding tracked the pace before making a bid around the turn, ultimately settling for the runner-up position.

Bred by Richard Hawkins, Master Reigns is by Dash Master Jess and out of the He Will Reign mare Dancee Reigns. The gelding now sports a record of 37-6-6-5 with earnings of $159,853. He entered the race as the defending champion after capturing last year's edition of the Jesse Yoakum Memorial 870 Stakes.

GJR Rooster completed the trifecta under Gilberto Linares for owners Richard Young, Joe David Yates and Zack Stinebaugh, who also trains the colt. After trailing the field early, GJR Rooster rallied late but could not threaten the top two finishers.

Bred by Gerald Rich, the colt was a $15,500 graduate of the TQHA Yearling Sale. He is sired by This Is An Eagle and out of the A Little Illegal mare Granny Grump TB. His female family includes stakes winners Arrears ($273,357) and Brite's High ($180,237).

No Faux finished fourth, followed by Fire Bolt B and Gladiator to complete the order of finish. 

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