Luis Vivanco guides Kadillaking to a half-length upset victory in the Grade 2 TQHA Classic Stakes on Friday at Retama Park.

© Louanne Wainscott, StallioneSearch

By Emily Paulk, StallioneSearch

SELMA, TX—JULY 24, 2026—Kadillaking pulled the upset Friday night, holding off favored Kas Prietito to win the Grade 2 $67,200-added TQHA Classic Stakes at Retama Park.

Ridden by Luis Vivanco, Kadillaking tracked the early pace before engaging the leaders and prevailing in a driving finish by a half-length. The Delbert McDowell trainee covered 400 yards in :19.910 while earning a 102 speed index over a fast track.

The Whiting Ranch homebred is sired by Lota PYC and out of the Dominyun mare Ms Haulin Chic. The 4-year-old gelding improved his record to 14-5-1-0, with the $40,320 winner's share of the purse boosting his lifetime earnings to $92,360.

Making his first stakes appearance of the season, Kadillaking entered off a fourth-place finish in the QHRAI Stallion Service Auction Derby after qualifying to last year's QHRAI Derby.

Winning connections of Kadillaking. © Louanne Wainscott, StallioneSearch

Kas Prietito closed strongly from off the pace to finish second under Luis Maldonado. Trained by Jorge Rivas Correa for owners Fernando and Rolando Soto, the 4-year-old gelding stopped the clock in :19.975 with a 99 speed index.

Bred by Rancho J S, he is sired by Kas Tempting and out of the Azoom mare Marys Corazon. Entering off back-to-back victories in the Grade 2 Willie Hickman Memorial Stakes and Grade 2 Sam Houston Classic Stakes, he now owns a record of 15-5-4-1 with earnings of $152,206.

Nine One Won set the early pace and dueled through much of the race before weakening late to finish third under Oliver Martinez. The Raul Ramirez trainee completed the distance in :20.076 while earning a 97 speed index.

Racing for owner Jimenas Ranch, the 4-year-old gelding was bred by Cindi Keeton. He is sired by Tempting Dash and out of the Jody O Toole mare Not My Choice.

He now owns a record of 30-6-5-11 with earnings of $219,781. This season, he has been a finalist in the Grade 2 Eastex Stakes, Grade 2 SLM Big Daddy Stakes, and the Gary Baber Memorial Stakes.

Ym Flyin finished fourth and was followed by Fdd El Jefe, Sign Of A Jet, Dm Chasing Money, and Th Rum Runner.

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