The Grand Legend, under jockey Noe Villatoro, easily wins the $50,000 Governors Cup Marathon on Saturday at Sam Houston Race

© Jack Coady Photography

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

HOUSTON, TX–JUNE 14, 2025–The venerable 9-year-old gelding The Grand Legend once again proved his marathon prowess with a dominant score in the $50,000 Governors' Cup Marathon Stakes (G3) on Saturday night at Sam Houston Race Park.

Under a polished ride from jockey Noe Villatoro, the Texas-bred son of FDD Going Grand out of Legendary Seis surged three-wide around the turn to draw away by an emphatic 3-length margin over 870 yards.

Trained by Adan Guzman for owner James C. Whitener, LLC, The Grand Legend stalked the early leaders before uncorking a decisive rally to cover the distance in 45.244 seconds on a fast track, earning a 104 speed index.

The track conditions were fast with a 5-mph headwind at post time, and the race was clocked electronically. The victory was worth $30,000 to the connections, pushing the consistent gelding's earnings to $431,267 with 18 wins in 42 starts. Mercy Hinklins Horse Farm LLC is the breeder.

The winning connections of The Grand Legend accept the Governors' Cup Marathon stakes trophy on Saturday at Sam Houston Race Park. © Jack Coady Photography

Second-place honors went to Rock Ya Later, a 5-year-old black gelding by Rock Solid Jess out of Dosvedanya by Separatist. Bred in Texas by Melissa L. Slayton, the runner-up is owned by Rockin J Running Horses and trained by Tammy Johnson.

Jockey Ali Rivera had the graded stakes winner well-positioned in midpack before the gelding launched a solid wide rally to finish 1¼ lengths ahead of third. He earned $10,000 for his efforts, boosting his earnings total $192,844.

Finishing third was Explosive Legend, a 4-year-old sorrel gelding also out of Legendary Seis, this one by Mr Piloto. Bred in Louisiana by Mercy Hinklins Horse Farm LLC, he races for owner/trainer David Bustamante and was ridden by Victor Urieta Jr.

The gelding was sold for $40,000 at the 2022 LQHBA Yearling Sale. After dueling early along the inside, he weakened in the final yards but still held third by a considerable 10½-length margin. His third-place prize money was $5,500 and boosted his career mark to $94,658.

In the pari-mutuel pools, The Grand Legend returned just $2.10 across the board as the overwhelming favorite. The exacta (4-6) paid a modest $2.10, while the 50-cent trifecta (4-6-3) returned $1.65. The $1 Pick 3 (3-8-4) paid $15.40, and the Daily Double (8-4) returned $3.50. The total WPS pool handled for the race was $48,504.

The remainder of the field completed as follows: Into The Lite ran fourth, and Sw Awesome Wild Bill was fifth. Blew Duck was scratched.

With a resounding win under his belt, The Grand Legend continues to solidify his standing as one of the sport’s most reliable long-distance specialists.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Would you like more industry news delivered directly to your inbox? Click here to sign up.