Challenge


Hes Jess Dealin Punches Ticket To Indiana With Adequan Derby Challenge Win at Sam Houston Race Park
Hes Jess Dealin, under jockey Francisco Calderon, romped to a two-length win the $92,163 Adequan Texas Derby Challenge at Sam Houston Race Park Thursday night.

© Coady Photography
Hes Jess Dealin Punches Ticket To Indiana With Adequan Derby Challenge Win at Sam Houston Race Park

HOUSTON, TX–JUNE 16, 2022–Texas homebred Hes Jess Dealin scored his first career stakes win tonight (Jun 16) after posting a two-length win the $91,163 Adequan Texas Derby Challenge at Sam Houston Race Park.

Hes Jess Dealin broke better than usual under jockey Francisco Calderon before quickly putting is opposition away while completing the 400 yards in :20.227 seconds, a 95 speed index into a 5 mph headwind. $78,237.

"He broke pretty well tonight, which was great as in the past, this horse didn't break on top, but always finished well," Calderon said after the winning ride. "Tonight, I felt the horse to the inside had a big lead, so I asked him and he responded. He was long gone."

Trainer John Stienbaugh condition's the son of multiple stakes sire Dealagame for owner-breeder Pete Scarmardo. The sorrel gelding is out of Jess Marcy by leading broodmare sire Mr Jess Perry.

"He finally learned how to leave the gates " said Scarmardo, "His style was to make a late run, but had too much ground to make up. He's starting to show more talent."

Don Ahrens, SHRP Director of Security, presents winning owner-breeder Pete Scarmardo and jockey Francisco Calderon the Adeuqan Texas Derby Challenge trophy Thursday at Sam Houston Race Park.
© Coady Photography

Plans are for Hes Jess Dealin  to go to the Retama Park meet in Selma, Texas next.

"We have him in the Retama Park Derby," Scarmardo said.

Hes Jess Dealin bounced off a fifth-place effort in his career debut, a trial foe the Sam Houston Derby, to win his May 26th trial while posting the fastest qualifying time.

The win tonight also earned Hes Jess Dealin a starting spot in the Grade 3 $150,000-est. Adequan Derby Challenge Championship to be contested October 12th at Horseshoe Indianapolis during the Bank of American Challenge Championships October 22nd.

"I've won a lot of races for Pete and Leon (Bard). Always nice to win for him and I' looking forward to making my first trip to Indiana," Calderon added.

Revenant Dynasty, who also finished second to Hes Jess Dealin in the Adequan Derby trials, earned $18,233 for his second-place effort today.  Inez Delacruz trains the gelded son of leading second-crop sire A Revenant for owners AA Horse Racing, Inc. and Hector Ruiz. Ali Rivera had the riding call.

Bred in Texas by Wendy Acres Stables, from the FDD Dynasty mare Kirklyns Dynasty, Revenant Dynasty was a finalist in the Grade 2 Oklahoma Futurity and RG2 TQHA Sale Futurity last season. Heh as earned $109,557 in 11 career starts.  

A neck back, Sir Thorn Dash under jockey Pedro Espinosa picked up $9,115 for third. Roberto Madrigal trains the son of Sir Runaway Dash for owner GR Stables, LLC. Grant Farms LLC bred the gelding in Louisiana from the Chicks Beduino mare Thorn Chicks. A finalist in the LQHBA Louisiana Million Invitational Stakes last fall, SIr Thorn Dash has eanred $29,146 in 11 starts to 3. 

Donttemptthisnatural, Brookes Brioni, Jlc Walk Don’t Run, Biden Record and Ryder Lee completed the field.