GRAND PRAIRIE, TX—NOVEMBER 9, 2019—Champion Flying Cowboy 123 became only the third horse in history to win a "Texas Classic Double" on Saturday night when he defeated Fm Cartel Rock by half-a-length in the $344,571 Grade 1 Texas Classic Derby at Lone Star Park.

Leading sire Mr Jess Perry won the Texas Classic Futurity and Derby in 1994 and 1995 and champion sire Pyc Paint Your Wagon the 2005-2006 Texas Classic editions.

Flying Cowboy 123 broke in and bumped at the start but champion jockey Ricky Ramirez quickly got the son Apollitical Jess underway to complete the 440 yards in :21.384 seconds, a 101 speed index.

"The six horse (Fm Cartel Rock) outbroke us and probably had me by a half-length," said winning rider Ricky Ramirez. "I felt a little pressure as I wanted him to win his last race, but this horse loves to go 440 yards, so once he kicked clear, I knew we had it. He's just an awesome colt and I look forward to riding his babies in the future!

Racing for owner Paragon Farms, Flying Cowboy 123 has compiled a (13) 8-2-1 record and the $153,335 Texas Classic winner's purse boosted his lifetime mark to $1,045,811.

"Ricky got him going and it was over from there," stated trainer J.J. Gonzalez. "It just proves that cowboys love to fly!"

Bred by Carolyn Bay, from the world champion producing Takin On The Cash mare Hot Cash 123, Flying Cowboy 123 won the 2019 Texas Classic Futurity(G1), was second in the in the Rainbow Futurity(G1)and third in the All American Derby(G1).

It was a proud moment for Tom Lipar of Paragon Farms, who was in the winner's circle last year when Cowboy 123 won the Texas Classic Futurity.

"He's just the third horse to win both the Texas Classic Futurity and Derby (Mr Jess Perry and Pyc Paint Your Wagon were previous champions), said Lipar. "As soon as I saw his head in front, I knew he had it; he's a hell of a horse!"

The Texas Classic Derby was Flying Cowboy 123's final start. He will begin his stallion career in 2020 at Bob Moore Farms in Norman, Oklahoma.

Philip Stewart, farm manager of Bob Moore Farms was on hand and made the announcement about the 2020 stud fee for Flying Cowboy 123.

"We thank Paragon Farms for sending Flying Cowboy 123 to Bob Moore Farms," said Stewart. "Everybody's been asking, so we have set his stud fee at $5,500. We've got a long list, so if you're interested, better call quick."

Fm Cartel Rock, conditioned by trainer Robi Meche, ran the biggest race of his career to finish second, earning $75,806. Raul Ramirez, Jr. had the riding call aboard the One Sweet Jess colt for owner Jose Fabian Hernandez. Bred in California by Steve D. Burns, FM Cartel Rock is out of the Corona Cartel mare Remember The Cartel. He has earned $111,092.

Viva Le Don was another half-a-length back to finish third for owner Rocking J Running Horses and trainer Tammy Kay Johnson. Cody Smith rode the son of Rock Solid Jess out of Viva Arriba by Pyc Paint Your Wagon. Bred by Jack Manning and Tammy Johnson, Viva Le Don picked up $37,903 to boost his bankroll to $244,644. The brown gelding won last year's Black Gold 350 Championship Futurity and was second din the Grade 3 Dash For Cash Derby in October.

Midday News, American Hussle, Wii B, Jess Master Angel, Coach A Comin and First True Heart completed the Texas Classic Derby field.

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Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie, a Class I racetrack operated by Texas Partners LSP and Global Gaming LSP. The track offers a 16-day 2019 Quarter Horse Season, which opens Friday, September 20 and concludes on Saturday, November 9. Live racing will be held Friday and Saturday Nights at 6:05 p.m. For more information on Lone Star Park visit LoneStarPark.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Lone Star Park is also home to the multi-million dollar simulcast racebook, sports bar and event venue, Bar & Book. The 36,000 square foot venue is open to the public 363 days a year.

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Global Gaming Solutions, LLC (GGS), is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Chickasaw Nation with a primary business focus of pursuing entertainment, gaming and racing related opportunities in emerging jurisdictions in the United States and overseas as well as acquisition of regional gaming and entertainment assets. GGS LLC is the parent company of GG RP, which owns Remington Park in Oklahoma City, OK and GG LSP, which owns a significant stake in Lone Star Park. GG LSP is the track operator who owns the license to operate Lone Star Park and leases the property from the Grand Prairie Sports Facilities Development Corporation.