Especially Goodcandy, under jockey Ricky Ramirez, set the fastest qualifying time for the $253,502 Purina Feeds Texas Classic Oaks trials on Saturday at Lone Star Park.

© Dustin Orona Photography

GRAND PRAIRIE, TX–OCTOBER 26, 2024–Coming off a win in the Grade 1 All American Oaks in her last start, Especially Goodcandy raced to the fastest qualifying time for the $253,502 Purina Feeds Texas Classic Oaks trials on Saturday at Lone Star Park.

The 10 fastest 3-year-old fillies, from three trial races, will return to Lone Star Park on Saturday, November 16 to vie for the winner’s purse valued at $113,253 over a distance of 400 yards.

Ridden by champion jockey Ricky Ramirez, Especially Goodcandy led early then held for a half-length win in the fastest time of 19.666, a 96-speed index.  It was the third consecutive win and fourth career win for the daughter of champion sire Jess Good Candy.

Asscher, under jockey Christian Ramos, set the second fastest Oaks time on Saturday. © Dustin Orona Photography

S. Trey Wood conditions the Oklahoma homebred filly for owner-breeders Mark and Annette McCloy. Also runner-up in last year’s Texas Classic Futurity(G1), Especially Goodcandy has earned $704,289.

Coming off a dead-heat win in the Dash For Cash Derby(G2) in her last start, October 5, Grade 1 winner Asscher was a 1-1/4 length winner in the second trial under jockey Christian Ramos to get the second fastest clocking of 19.708 seconds, a 95 speed index. Relentless Eagle the horse Asscher dead-heated with in the Dash For Cash Derby set the fastest time for the Texas Classic Derby(G1) at Lone Star Park Saturday night.

Reluctant at the start, the Los Alamitos Oaks(G1) winner is trained by Marc Jungers and races for owners Jimmy Barton and Lane Bland.  MJ Farms bred the FDD Dynasty filly in New Mexico from the champion Jesses James Jr mare Astica.   She has earned $376,420 off seven wins in 15 career starts.

Hesa Princess Celina, under champion jockey Ricky Ramirez, set the sixth fastest time in the closing trial.
© Dustin Orona Photography

Princess Celina, a daughter of leading sire Corona Cartel, got the biggest win of her career in the closing trial to set the sixth fastest clocking of 19.888, a 90 speed index. The Oklahoma-bred filly popped from the gate under jockey Ricky Ramirez and was an easy one-length winner.

Also from the Trey Wood barn, Princess Celina is another homebred for Mark and Annette McCloy out of the Jesses James Jr mare Princess Jesse. Princess Celina has won three of 10 starts and earned $41,309.

CLICK HERE for the list of Purina Feeds Texas Classic Oaks qualifiers.