Nestor Duran guides unbeaten Cowboys Flying to a dominant 2¼-length victory in the Grade 1 $683,700 TQHA Sale Futurity on July 25 at Retama Park.

© Louanne Wainscott, StallioneSearch

By Emily Paulk, StallioneSearch

SELMA, TX—JULY 25, 2026—Fastest qualifier Cowboys Flying turned in another dominant performance Saturday night, drawing away to a 2¼-length victory in the Grade 1 $683,700 TQHA Sale Futurity at Retama Park.

The unbeaten gelding covered the 350 yards in :17.351 over a fast track while earning a stellar 111 speed index.

Ridden by Nestor Duran, Cowboys Flying races for Double J Racing and is trained by Ramiro Villarreal. Bred by Dr. Tommy Hays, the $53,000 TQHA Yearling Sale graduate is by champion and champion sire Flying Cowboy 123 and out of the winning Carters Cartel mare Cartels Lady.

Double J Racing, owners of Cowboys Flying. © Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch

Already a winner of the Texas Breeders Futurity, Cowboys Flying remained undefeated through four career starts. The $304,247 winner's share of the purse boosted his earnings to $556,993.

After the race, Duran praised the colt's professionalism and early speed.

"He stood perfect in the gates and the 3 out broke me, he was way in front," Duran said. "In like 50 yards, I knew I had him. He's a pretty good horse, he's fast. We expect this from him because in the trials he looked fast."

Natural Flyin Cowboy finished a clear second under Oliver Martinez for owner Maria Gonzalez and trainer Jose Martinez.

Bred by Louis Malechek III, the $50,000 TQHA Yearling Sale graduate is another son of Flying Cowboy 123, out of the stakes-winning Furyofthewind mare Just Another Natural.

Cowboys Flying is joined in the winner’s circle by his winning connections. © Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch

The gelding stopped the clock in :17.712 with a 99 speed index. Still seeking his first stakes victory, he improved his record to 4-2-1-0 with earnings of $177,291 after previously finishing as a finalist in the Texas Breeders Futurity.

Second-fastest qualifier Whoopie Cowgirl finished third under Francisco Calderon for owner Denis Moran and trainer Ramiro Villarreal.

Bred by Mark Rigby, DVM, the $35,000 TQHA Yearling Sale graduate is also by Flying Cowboy 123 and out of the winning Tac It Like A Man mare Tacarosie. Her female family traces to Champion Tarzanito ($429,657), winner of the Grade 1 Go Man Go Handicap.

Already a Grade 2 stakes winner after capturing the Louisiana Downs Futurity earlier this season, the filly now owns a record of 6-3-1-1 with earnings of $470,978. She completed the 350 yards in :17.822 while earning a 96 speed index.

Apollitical Cowboy crossed the wire in fourth but was disqualified to seventh following a stewards' inquiry. First Tartanero Jess was elevated to fourth, followed by Jess Sissy Cartel, Divina Tres Seis, Apollitical Cowboy, Miss Chilitos, Jp Mr Cartel and Rocking Cowboy.

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