Kas Prietito brings a two-stakes winning streak into Friday's Grade 2 $60,000 TQHA Classic Stakes at Retama Park.

© Jack Coady Photography

By Louanne Wainscott, StallioneSearch

SELMA, TX–JULY 21, 2026–The spotlight turns to Retama Park this weekend as Texas racing takes center stage following the annual TQHA Yearling Sale. Fans can look forward to an exciting Friday evening with an 11-race program starting at 6:45 p.m. Six stakes races restricted to Texas-Breds headline the card, led by the Grade 2 $60,000 TQHA Classic Stakes, the Grade 3 $52,000 TQHA 550 Stakes, and the Grade 2 $52,000 Benny Pennington Memorial Stakes. Also featured are the $50,000 Miss Retama Stakes, the $52,000 TQHA 250 Stakes, and the $32,000 Jones Bloodstock Insurance Starter Stakes.

The featured event of the evening is the Grade 2 $60,000 TQHA Classic Stakes, the eleventh and final race on the card. A field of eight Texas-bred runners, ages three and up, will line up for the 400-yard contest at approximately 11:18 p.m.

Kas Prietito has been installed as the 2-1 morning-line favorite after an outstanding season. The four-year-old gelding enters the race on a two-stakes winning streak, capturing both the Grade 2 Sam Houston Classic Stakes and the Grade 2 Willie Hickman Memorial Stakes. A consistent performer throughout his career, he has compiled five victories and three runner-up finishes, earning $138,766 for owners Fernando and Rolando Soto.

The son of Kas Tempting is out of the Azoom mare Marys Corazon and was bred in Texas by Rancho J S. Jorge Rivas Correa trains the gelding, who will break from post eight with jockey Luis A. Maldonado.

The tenth race features the Grade 3 $52,000 TQHA 550 Stakes, with nine Texas-breds, ages three and older, racing 550 yards down the long straightaway at approximately 10:51 p.m.

Top Cowboy has been installed as the 2-1 morning-line favorite as he looks to return to the winner's circle. Although the five-year-old has not won since 2024, he has continued to compete at a high level. This season, he finished second in the Gary Baber Memorial Stakes after finishing second in last year's Grade 2 B. F. Phillips, Jr. Stakes. He also finished fourth in the Grade 3 Sam Houston Derby and has earned $89,388 for owners Rodrigo Gonzalez and Leviram Racing, LLC.

The son of Flying Cowboy 123 is out of the Pyc Paint Your Wagon mare Paradice City and was bred in Texas by Tyler and Naia Graham. Marc E. Jungers conditions the gelding, who will leave from the outside post with jockey Luis L. Vivanco aboard.

Distance specialists take center stage in the ninth race, the Grade 2 $52,000 Benny Pennington Memorial Stakes, where a field of eight Texas-Breds will run 870 yards around the turn at approximately 10:24 p.m.

Eye Will Decide heads the field as the 5-2 morning-line favorite. The eight-year-old gelding has made three starts this season, winning the Grade 3 Jesse Yoakum Memorial 870 Stakes and finishing third in the Grade 3 San Marcos Stakes. He has built an impressive career record with eight wins, nine second-place finishes, and earnings of $239,169.

The Texas homebred races for breeder-owner Bryon Gardner. The son of Majestic Cartel is out of the Valiant Hero mare Valiant Lil Lady. Adan Guzman trains the veteran gelding, who will start from post three with regular rider Noe Villatoro aboard.

The undercard adds even more excitement to the evening. The sixth race features the $32,000 Jones Bloodstock Insurance Starter Stakes at 350 yards, followed by the $52,000 TQHA 250 Stakes in race seven. Race eight showcases the $50,000 Miss Retama Stakes, where a talented group of Texas-bred fillies and mares will compete at 400 yards.

Friday's stakes-filled program is the perfect follow-up to the opening day of the TQHA Yearling Sale and launches a weekend celebrating the depth and quality of the Texas breeding program. With six stakes races, established champions, and rising stars all competing under the lights, Retama Park is set for one of its premier racing nights of the season.

The races at Retama Park can be watched on Q-Racing Video.

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