Dr Pepper 123, piloted by Noe Villatoro, wins the $275,200 Sam Houston Derby-G3 at Sam Houston Race Park on Saturday.

© Jack Coady Photography

By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch

HOUSTON, TX–JUNE 14, 2025–Piloted by jockey Noe Villatoro, Dr Pepper 123 captured his first career stakes victory on Saturday in the $275,200 Sam Houston Derby-G3 at Sam Houston Race Park.

The 3-year-old gelding, overlooked at 6-1 odds, clocked a swift 19.885 seconds for 400 yards, earning a 103 speed index. Dr Pepper 123 showed his strength in the final strides to outkick the fastest qualifier from the trials, Fast Flyer 123, by a neck. The effort paid $14.40 for the win.

The win marked Dr Pepper 123’s third overall victory from six starts, and the $110,080 winner’s share increased his earnings to $136,925.

The winning connections of Dr Pepper 123 accept the Sam Houston Derby-G3 trophy on Saturday at Sam Houston Race Park© Jack Coady Photography

Trainer J. W. Plunkett saddled Dr Pepper 123 for owner/breeder Mary Lou Zoeller of Texas. The homebred colt is out of My Glory Dash, by Shazooms Glory Dash.

Zoeller was emotional after the race, saying, “It was so wonderful to see him run so well. I was a little nervous before the race, but you always hope.”

Plunkett credited his team, especially Will, for their dedicated care. “I couldn’t see the break, but as he was finishing, he looked great,” he said. Plunkett confirmed the gelding is paid into both the Retama Park Derby and Texas Classic Derby, with plans to target both.

Ridden by Victor Uriteta, Jr., Fast Flyer 123, who broke like a rocket and set the early pace, was caught in the final jump to finish second. The colt is a son of Flying Cowboy 123’s record moves to 2-3-1 from nine starts with $83,025 in earnings. He was also a finalist in the Texas Classic Juvenile Stakes.

He was bred in Oklahoma by Sam W. Green and is out of Uptowne Babe, by Mr Jess Perry. Owned by Triple Five and trained by Oscar Constancio Jr., Fast Flyer 123 was a $450,000 purchase at the 2023 Heritage Place Yearling Sale.

Third-place finisher Eagles Up, sent off as the post-time favorite, closed late under Luis Vivanco but fell short of the top two. The colt, by One Famous Eagle, had placed second in last year’s EVD Futurity-G2.

He was bred in Louisiana by Jumonville Farms and is out of U R Blue, by Walk Thru Fire. Co-owned by Mario H. Vazquez and Jumonville Farms, Eagles Up was a $75,000 purchase from the 2024 Heritage Place Fall Mixed Sale. He now has a record of 3-2-2 from nine starts with earnings of $106,743.

Celena Olena, Chill To The Bone, Shez Flyn, Georg, Butane, Mexican Kash, and Beaux Tye completed the field.

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