Karma Cha Ching, under Nestor Duran, races to her second consecutive stakes victory in the $40,000 La Villita Stakes on opening night at Retama Park.

© Coady Media

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

SELMA, TX—JUNE 25, 2026— Fresh off her impressive victory in the $176,250 Sam Houston Oaks less than two weeks ago, Karma Cha Ching continued her outstanding sophomore campaign by rolling to a decisive 1¼-length victory in Thursday night's $46,000 La Villita Stakes for accredited Texas-bred 3-year-old fillies at Retama Park's 2026 opening-night program.

The daughter of multiple stakes sire Pa Cha Ching, out of Marthas First Corona by Tinys First Corona, covered the 330 yards in :17.087, earning a 94 speed index while drawing away under jockey Nestor Duran. It was the fourth win on Thursday's card for Duran.

The winning connections of Karma Cha Ching accept the La Villita Stakes trophy at Retama Park on Thursday.
© Jack Coady Photography

Trained by Esteban Rubio for owner and breeder Sarah Huskey, the sorrel filly broke sharply from post nine and quickly took command before widening her advantage through the stretch. She returned $4.60 as the 1.30-1 favorite.

The La Villita victory was the third consecutive score for Karma Cha Ching, who entered the race off her victory in the Sam Houston Oaks on June 13. The filly improved her career record to 11 starts, 4 wins, 1 second, no thirds, with earnings climbing to $127,302. She was also a finalist in last summer's TQHA Sires' Cup Futurity (RG2) at Retama Park.

Chasing Glory rallied from mid-pack to finish second, 1¼ lengths behind the winner, while proving best of the rest. The sorrel filly is by leading sire Apollitical Jess out of Sera Jess Fine V, by Jess Lips, and was bred in Texas by Don Griffin Jr. Griffin also owns the filly, who is trained by Ben Olaveson and was ridden by Luis Vivanco. Chasing Glory earned $9,200 for the runner-up finish, boosting her earnings to $37,400.

After a lengthy stewards' inquiry, Instagram Diva was elevated to third following the disqualification of Chile Piquin for interference in the late stages. The bay filly, by Senator Teller out of Eyesa Sweet Eye, by Mr Eye Opener, races for breeder-owner Alvaro Ibarra Jr., with Riley Aguilar serving as trainer and Angel Ramirez aboard. Instagram Diva collected $5,060 for her third-place effort.

Chile Piquin crossed the wire third but was disqualified and placed seventh after stewards ruled the filly lugged in during the stretch and interfered with rivals.

Completing the official order of finish were Flies Like an Eagle (5th), Chieftainess (6th, dead heat), Di the Peytons Kiss (6th, dead heat), Chile Piquin (7th, disqualified from third), Coronas Famouscartel (8th), This Eagles Quirky (9th), and Maid in Da Shade (10th).

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