Grade Sam Houston Classic Stakes winner Apollitical Ike heads the $60,000 King William Stakes, on of three stakes races on Saturday's card at Retama Park.

© Jack Coady Photography

By StallioneSearch

SELMA, TX—JUNE 27, 2025—A thrilling Saturday night of Quarter Horse racing awaits at Retama Park, with three stakes events headlining the card. Anchored by the $60,000 King William Stakes, the evening features a competitive lineup of seasoned runners and promising contenders.

First post is scheduled for 6:15 p.m. (CDT).

Apollitical Ike Headlines King William Stakes

Fresh off a commanding win in the Grade 2 Sam Houston Classic Stakes last month, Apollitical Ike returns as the 5-2 morning-line favorite in the $60,000 King William Stakes, open to 3-year-olds and up. The race is slated as Race 10, with an approximate post time of 10:18 p.m.

Trained by Victor Oviedo and owned by Edgar Moreno, Apollitical Ike will break from post 2 under jockey H.J. Hernandez. The 4-year-old son of champion sire Apollitical Blood boasts seven career wins and earnings exceeding $156,000. Bred in Texas by Mike and Leslie Turner, he is out of the Pyc Paint Your Wagon mare Eye This Candy.

Among the chief rivals is Kiss My Hat (7-2), who enters off a solid third-place finish in the $75,000 Boyd Morris Stakes (RG2) at Remington Park on May 31. Trained by Christian Alcala for Alcala Ranch LLC, the 4-year-old gelding by Kiss My Hocks was bred in Oklahoma by Jovetta Meredith out of the FDD Dynasty mare Sr Fly Baby.

The Grand Legend Aims for Third Straight Win in San Marcos Stakes

The venerable The Grand Legend headlines the $40,000 San Marcos Stakes going 870 yards in Race 8, with a post time of approximately 9:24 p.m. The 9-year-old gelding enters the race as the strong 4-5 morning-line favorite after notching back-to-back wins, including the $50,000 AQHA Racing Video Sam Houston Distance Challenge on June 25.

Trained by Adan Guzman for owner James C. Whitener, LLC, The Grand Legend has won 14 of 19 lifetime starts while amassing more than $461,000 in earnings. Bred in Texas by Mercy Hinklins Horse Farm LLC, the distance specialist is by FDD Going Grand out of the Tres Seis mare Legendary Seis.

Mr Michel Returns in Gary Baber Memorial Stakes

Grade 1 winner Mr Michel is the 9-5 morning-line favorite for the $40,000 Gary Baber Memorial Stakes, carded as Race 9 with an approximate post of 9:51 p.m. The 550-yard contest is open to 3-year-olds and up.

The 6-year-old gelding by Kiss My Hocks is trained by Christian Alcala for owner Alberto Valdez and was bred in Texas by Mark Michel out of the Likenothinyoueversaw mare Lovemelikethat. Mr Michel captured the $50,000 SLM Big Daddy Stakes (G2) three starts ago and followed with a sharp win in the $100,000 Leo Stakes (RG1). He most recently finished fourth in the $250,000 Debbie Schaf Invitational (G1).

Saturday’s card promises high-stakes competition and standout performances from some of the sport’s most accomplished runners.

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