DK Bonita Jess, ridden by Nestor Duran, battles to a nose victory over Bad Boy 123 in the Grade 2 $655,100 Sam Houston Futurity on June 13 at Sam Houston Race Park.

© Jack Coady Photography

By Emily Paulk, StallioneSearch

HOUSTON, TX–JUNE 13, 2026–DK Bonita Jess edged Bad Boy 123 in a thrilling finish Saturday night to win the Grade 2 $655,100 Sam Houston Futurity at Sam Houston Race Park. The filly prevailed by a nose while covering 350 yards in :17.781 over a fast track against a 10 mph headwind.

Ridden by Nestor Duran for owner CH Horse Racing LLC and trainer Miguel Pizana, DK Bonita Jess dueled for the lead throughout before finding just enough in the final strides to secure the richest victory of her young career.

The win improved her record to 4-3-1-0 and increased her earnings to $324,251 after collecting the $262,040 winner's share of the purse.

The winning connections of DK Bonita Jess accept the $655,100 Sam Houston Futurity trophy on Saturday.
© Jack Coady Photography

Bred by Cuadra La Presita, the filly was a $120,000 graduate of the Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale. She is by world champion and leading sire Apollitical Jess ($1,399,831) and out of the stakes-winning Corona Cartel mare Marney Jo ($71,277 in Mexico), a full sister to champion KVN Corona ($868,077).

DK Bonita Jess is also a full sister to graded stakes winner DK Marney Jess ($590,704). Prior to her Sam Houston Futurity triumph, she finished second in the Grade 2 Louisiana Downs Futurity.

Following the victory, the winning connections indicated the filly is likely to make her next start in the Grade 2 Dash For Cash Futurity trials.

"She's just well concentrated with what her job is," trainer Miguel Pizana said. "She does everything great."

Jockey Nestor Duran compared the filly favorably to her accomplished older sister.

"She's too perfect. I used to ride her sister DK Marney Jess and they are both the same thing," Duran said. "They both stand perfect, professional."

Owner CH Horse Racing LLC reflected on the family's continued success.

"I won with the sister two years ago, so I thought she could do the same thing, and thank God she did," he said.

Bad Boy 123 finished second under Edwin Escobedo for owner Reynaldo Munoz and trainer Bobby Muniz Pena. The colt was bred by Kylee Habeck and sold for $72,000 at the TQHA Yearling Sale.

A son of champion Flying Cowboy 123, he is out of the stakes-winning Tres Seis mare Three Past Six ($160,040). The runner-up effort moved his record to 3-1-2-0 with earnings of $139,020.

JJ Kiss completed the trifecta under Francisco Calderon for owner Gisela Davila-Perez and trainer Bobby Muniz Pena. The colt entered the futurity off a finalist effort in the Grade 2 West Texas Futurity and closed strongly to finish third after qualifying as the final finalist.

Bred by Alan and Sharon Colley, JJ Kiss is a $55,000 TQHA Yearling Sale graduate. The son of champion Kiss My Hocks is out of the Walk Thru Fire mare A Friend In The Sky, a half-sister to graded stakes winners Three Green Leaves ($114,908) and Celtic Emblem ($577,377).

He is also a half-brother to graded stakes-placed runner Colleys Cartel ($275,982). The colt now owns a record of 4-2-0-1 with earnings of $87,468.

Fastest qualifier Coronas First Cowboy finished fourth and was followed by Limites Sin B, Let It B Cowgirl, Cajuns 123, Soaring Lark 123, Dot Dot Dot Xo and Get Aggressive.

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