KJ Desparado, ridden by Adrian Ramos, wins the $118,000 Refrigerator Championship Stakes [G1] for the second year in a row on Saturday at Lone Star Park.

© Dustin Orona Photography

GRAND PRAIRIE, TX–NOVEMBER 16, 2024–KJ Desparado is now six for six at Lone Star Park after winning the $118,000 Refrigerator Championship Stakes [G1] on Saturday for the second year in a row.

Jockey Adrian Ramos rode KJ Desparado to victory in the 440-yard race, finishing in 21.350 seconds and achieving a speed index of 97 against a five mph headwind. The post-time favorite trailed Rgs Gold Wagon, who had an early lead right out of the gate but surged forward in the final stretch to win by a half-length. The winning effort paid $4.40 to win at 2-1 odds.

Rgs Gold Wagon, ridden by Francisco Calderon, placed second a neck ahead of A Tres Of Eagle and jockey Jhaciel Soto.

The winning connections of KJ Desparado accept the $118,000 Refrigerator Championship Stakes [G1] trophy at Lone Star Park on Saturday. © Dustin Orona Photography

The seven-time Grade 1 winning powerhouse, KJ Desparado, has finally achieved his first stakes victory of the season after narrowly missing in his first four races. Following a second-place finish in the Downs at Albuquerque Fall Championship [G1] and a fourth-place finish in the All American Gold Cup [G1], tonight's win brought his lifetime total to 17 victories from 27 starts.

The $67,260 winner’s share of the purse increased his bankroll to $3,245,359, maintaining his ranking as the nation’s all-time leading money earner. His list of accolades includes AQHA Champion honor twice and Supreme Race Horse.

KJ Desparado’s seven Grade 1 wins include the All American Futurity, Texas Classic Futurity, Ruidoso Derby, Texas Classic Derby, All American Gold Cup and Refrigerator Championship Stakes (twice).

L&I Land & Cattle bred KJ Desparado in Arizona out of the Tres Seis mare Tres Veses. Trainer Wes Giles conditions the five-year-old gelding for owners John and Kathy Lee and Ruben Mares.

Trainer Roy Garza named jockey Francisco Calderon to ride runner-up Rgs Gold Wagon for owner Maruico Garza. The four-year-old son of Prized Wagon has lit the board 20 out of 29 starts with $407,431 in the bank.

Roy Garza bred Rgs Gold Wagon, who has three Grade 3 stakes wins, including the King William Stakes earlier this season. The Oklahoma-bred gelding is out of JA Gols Debutante by Gol.

Eddie Lee Willis saddle A Tres Of Eagle, who has a record of 7-6-5 from 23 starts with $511,675 in earnings. The five-year-old son of One Fabulous Eagle has won five stakes races in his career, including the Remington Park Championship Challenge Stakes [G2] earlier this season.

A Tres Of Eagle’s owner, Bella Vista Farms, LLC, bought him for $40,000 in the Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale from his breeder, The Mixer Ranch. He is out of the Tres Seis mare A Tres Of Paint.

Hes A Jet One, Onthrocks, Apicosso Jess, Visa, Delight Interes and Revvs Cowboy complete the field.

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About Lone Star Park
Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie is a major league sports entertainment attraction that features two exciting racing seasons annually. Over 700,000 guests visit our beautiful facility each year, which features a seven-level glass-enclosed Grandstand, highlighted by our 1,200-seat Silks Dining Room and 48 luxurious Penthouse Suites, all overlooking the newest race track in Texas. Situated next to our Grandstand is the 36,000-square-foot world-class Las Vegas-style racebook and simulcast facility, Bar & Book, which features wagering on horse racing from around the world seven days a week year.

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