His Time To Deal, under jockey Jose Vega, easily winning the $61,149 John Deere Retama Park Juvenile Challenge Saturday night.

© Coady Photography

SELMA, TX—JULY 25, 2020—Fastest qualifier His Time to Deal won the $61,149 John Deere Retama Park Juvenile Challenge impressively on Saturday night. The race was second of three stakes on the card and the second regional Challenge qualifier.

Jose Vega rode His Time to Deal ($4.20) to a nearly 2-length victory for trainer Leon Bard.

The pair crossed the wire in 17.996 and earned an 86 speed index in the 350-yard stake. His Time to Deal bested his own time set in the trials as the fastest qualifier, 18.130.

The winning connections of His Time To Deal accept the John Deere Retama Park Juvenile Challenge trophy on Saturday at Retama Park. © Coady Photography

He won the first trial of three trials on July 3; the quick trial produced the overall top three fastest qualifiers. His Time to Deal is now undefeated in two career starts with earnings of $32,929.

His Time to Deal is owned and bred by Pete Scarmardo in Texas, by Dealagame and out of Lady Lilia, by First Down Dash. Lady Lilia is out of the multiple graded stakes winning mare Lady Tenaya, who won the AQHA Distaff Challenge Championship (G1) at Lone Star in 2002.

Cartel Creek and Juan Pulido finished second for trainer John Stinebaugh and owner William Dale.

He finished second in his trial and was the sixth fastest qualifier. Though a maiden after four lifetime starts, he has finished second in his last three consecutive races at Retama and Ruidoso.

Cartel Creek was bred in Missouri by Jim Streelman and Bill Dale, sired by The Louisiana Cartel and out of the stakes winning mare Rawhide Creek, by Ivory James.

Hot Lady Returns and Francisco Calderon won the tight photo for third place. Hot Lady Returns was the winner of the third trial and the fourth fastest qualifier.

The High Rate of Return filly is trained by John Stinebaugh and owned by Vanessa Bartoo. She was was bred in Oklahoma by Cnn Breeding, by High Rate of Return and out of Hottesticketintown, by Jody O Toole.

Hot Lady Returns debuted at Ruidoso before breaking her maiden in her trial for the John Deere Retama Park Juvenile Challenge.

Completing the field were Elegant Tres, A Sweet Capo, Super Fly B, Viva Le Merica, Kiss My Happy Hips, Averys Volcom and High On Royce.