Dk Marney Jess, under jockey Juan Pulido, won the Grade 2 $621,810 Sam Houston Futurity at Sam Houston Race Park Saturday night.

© Coady Photography

HOUSTON, TX–JUNE 15, 2024– Dk Marney Jess became the first double graded stakes winning 2-year-old in the nation Saturday night when she posted a neck win in the Grade 2 $621,810 Sam Houston Futurity at Sam Houston Race Park.

She won the $397,402 Louisiana Downs Futurity(G2) in March.

Jockey Juan Pulido picked up the mount after Nestor Duran pulled off to ride the fastest qualifier, Machiavelli, who finished third after breaking in at the start.  A daughter of leading sire Apollitical Jess, Dk Marney Jess completed the 330 yards in 16.644 seconds, equaling a 104-speed index into a 3 mph headwind.

"Nestor Duran qualified her, so I looked at the tapes and saw that she does well in the gates and today she didn't miss, Pulido said after the race. "She took me to first! I thank the connections, Juan, and the owner, for this opportunity!"

Trainer Juan Diaz, Jr., who saddled five horses in the Sam Houston Futurity final, conditions Dk Marney Jess for owner CH Horse Racing LLC. Dk Marney Jess has four wins in four career starts and used the $248,724 winner's purse to boost her earnings to $436,690. She is now the #2 leading money-earning Quarter Horse in 2024.

The winning connections of Dk Marney Jess accept the Sam Houston Futurity Stakes trophy. © Coady Photography

"She showed what she was capable of at Louisiana Downs," Diaz, Jr. said. "One of the things that we were excited about is running her under the lights; her first two starts in Louisiana were during the afternoon. We wanted to see how she would do."

After running 20 horses in the trials, Diaz was asked what it takes to win the final.

"Like I have always said, it's a team effort. Between the jockeys, grooms and team back home and of course, great owners. Our horses are well bred."

Cuadra La Presita bred the filly in Mexico from the stakes-winning Corona Cartel mare Marney Jo, a sister to champion and a leading third-crop sire Kvn Corona and Grade 1 winner Big Lew.

Cindi Keeton's Hocksareback was gaining late to earn $124,362 for second. The $65,000 Heritage Place Yearling Sale graduate trained by Toby Keeton is by leading 2-year-old sire Kiss My Hocks from the Splash Bac mare Thebabeisback. Sissie and Bob McClure bred a gelding in Texas. Hocksareback has finished third in all three of his starts.  Luis Vivanco had the riding call.

Fastest qualifier and post-time favorite Machiavelli broke in at the start but put in a late rush under jockey Nestor Duran to get third. The $51,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale graduate, by champion sire Tempting Dash, is also owned by CH Horse Racing LLC and trained by Diaz. Alipio Brugos bred the gelding in California from the Apollitical Jess mare Chalala Jess.  He has earned $71,521 in three starts.

"Machivelli ran his race; it starts all over in each race, and obviously, DK Marney Jess ran a better race tonight," Diaz, Jr. said.

Tailwynde, Celebratingtheeagle, Mi Favorito Whiskey, Walk Thru Favorite, Favorite Mvp Z, and Hogans Hero completed the field.

Additional reporting by Martha Claussen

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About Sam Houston Race Park
Operated by Penn Entertainment Inc., Sam Houston Race Park is Houston’s premier racing and entertainment facility, located just 15 miles northwest of downtown Houston. The racetrack, which opened in 1994, offers a variety of attractions for businesses, group outings and families during racing and the off-season. The track is best known for its award-winning dining. It features multiple areas for fans looking for casual to upscale dining options, including Winner’s Circle Restaurant, Jockey Club, Luxury Suites, and Pavilion Centre. For more information or tickets to upcoming live racing, shows, and events, please visit or follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, or YouTube.