The Grand Legend, piloted by Noe Villatoro, wins the $44,500 San Marcos Stakes by 7 1/4-lengths on Saturday at Retama Park.

© Coady Photography

SELMA, TX–JUNE 29, 2024–Last year's runner-up, The Grand Legend, returns to the $44,500 San Marcos Stakes on Saturday at Retama Park to prove himself and easily goes the 870-yard distance for his sixth win in a row.

With Noe Villatoro in the irons, The Grand Legend takes the lead at first call and slips through the pack for an overwhelming 7 1/4-lengths victory. The heavy favorite clocked an 89 speed index in :46.365 seconds, running into a 14 mph headwind. The long-distance victory paid $2.40 to win on 1/5 odds.

Trainer Adan Guzman saddled The Grand Legend for owner James Whitener, LLC. The eight-year-old gelding improved his winning record to 14 from 36 starts, and the $26,700 winner's share of the San Marcos Stakes boosted his earnings to $345,278.

The Grand Legend's list of accolades consists of last year's AQHA Distance Horse Champion honors and five stakes titles, including the AQHA Distance Challenge Championship [G1], Lone Star Distance Challenge Stakes [G3], King Rick Rack Stakes [G3] and Let 'Er Rip Lip Chip Stakes.

The winning connections of The Grand Legend accept the $44,500 San Marcos Stakes trophy at Retama Park on Saturday. © Coady Photography

Mercy Hinklins Horse Farm, LLC bred The Grand Legend in Texas. He is the top money earner out of Legendary Seis by Tres Seis and a half-brother to the dam of stakes winners Fdd Cloud and Going Noble.

Rock Ya Later, piloted by Victor Urieta, Jr, rallied up for place in a photo finish by a nose over Ghost Bear and jockey Raul Hernandez, Jr.

Trainer Tammy Johnson owns Rock Ya Later under Rockin J Running Horses. The second place finish increases the four-year-old son of Rock Sold Jess' earnings to $70,685. He also placed second in the Grade 1 Remington Park Distance Championship Stakes earlier this season. Melissa Slayton bred the three-time winner in Texas out of Dosvedanya by Separatist.

Four-time winner Ghost Bear has earned $118,254 for his owner, Sarah Huskey. The seven-year-old stakes-winning son of Phantom Menace was bred by Sandra Garnett in Texas out of Loose Play by Intimidator. Marc Jungers trains him.

Music Dash, Rock Solid Stones, Master Reigns and Bakers Big Ol Boy complete the order of finish. Superfragilistic was scratched.

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About Retama Park
Retama Park is a Class 1 pari-mutuel horse racetrack located in Selma, Texas, just 20 minutes from downtown San Antonio. Live Quarter Horse races take place each summer, while simulcast wagering and races from around the world are available to watch and wager on Wednesday through Sunday. Managed by Penn Entertainment Inc., Retama Park opened in 1995 and will host its 30th year of racing beginning on June 27, 2024. For more information and racing schedules, please visit www.RetamaPark.com follow on: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and YouTube.