Dark Nme (inside), under champion jockey Francisco Calderon, drives to victory in the Grade 1 $1,176,156 Texas Classic Futurity at Lone Star Park Saturday night.

© Dustin Orona Photography

GRAND PRAIRIE, TX–NOVEMBER 18, 2023–Ducking in at the start multiple Grade 1 winner Dark Nme quickly righted herself then pulled away to win the Grade 1 $1,176,156 Texas Classic Futurity at Lone Star Park by one-length Saturday night at Lone Star Park.

With an almost perfect record Dark Nme entered the race as the fastest qualifier from 16 trials contested over two nights at Lone Star Park last month.  Under champion jockey Francisco Calderon the daughter of leading sire Hes Relentless completed the 400 yards in :19.491 seconds, equaling a 101 speed index.

Trainer Santos Carrizales, Jr. conditions the Oklahoma-bred filly for owner TYKHE Racing LLC, who paid $65,000 for her at the 2022 Heritage Place Yearling Sale in Oklahoma City.

Bred by L Hendrix Horses LLC, from the Spit Curl Jess mare Quions, Dark Nme has won eight of nine starts this year including the  $1-million Rainbow QH Futurity (G1) and the $804,150 Remington Park Oklahoma-Bred Futurity(RG1).  The $523,390 Texas Classic Futurity winner's purse boosted her career total to $1,559,452.

The winning connections of Dark Nme accept the $1,176,156 Texas Classic Futurity [G1] trophy at Lone Star Park on Saturday. © Dustin Orona Photography

The royally-bred filly's first four dams are from the great breeding program of Weetona Stanley and include the likes of all-time leading sire First Down Dash, leading sire Heza Fast Dash and former broodmare of the year First Prize Dash.

Tonight's victory should secure championship honors for the filly at the end of the year.

Especially Goodcandy, a filly who was second to Dark Nme in the Remington Park Oklahoma-Bred Futurity(RG1) finished second, at 17-1 odds, to earn $258,754. S. Trey Wood trains the Oklahoma-homebred for owner-breeders Mark and Fay Annett McCloy.

Champion jockey Ricky Ramirez rode the daughter of champion Jess Good Candy from the Dashair mare Especially Tres. Especially Goodcandy has compiled a (7) 1-5-0 record and earned $414,395 this season.

Champion jockey Francisco Calderon and three-time Grade 1 winner Dark Nme after the Texas Classic Futurity finishline Saturday at Lone Star Park. © Dustin Orona Photography

TQHA Sale Futurity(RG1) winner Dollar Bill rallied from the outside under jockey Jose Herbert to finish a nose back for owner genesis Tovar. Juan Diaz, Jr. trains the Texas-bred daughter of champion Kiss My Hocks. A winner of six of eight starts this season the $39,000 TQHA Yearling Sale graduate used the $129,377 Texas Classic third-place payday to increase his earnings total to $532,170.

Tyler and Naia Graham bred Dollar Bill from the Pyc Paint Your Wagon mare Jakes Painted Wagon. He also won the Sam Houston Juvenile Stakes in June.

Heritage Place Futurity(G1) winner San Lencho suffered his first career loss after getting the first call. Under jockey Bryan Candanosa the son of leading sire Apollitical Jess finished a head back in fourth to earn $58,808. A Texas homebred for owner-breeder Rogelio Marquez Jr., San Lencho has won four of five starts and earned $591,664. Jesus Marquez trains the colt out of multiple Grade 1 winner and producer Dashnunder Afullmoon by Heza Fast Dash.

Completing the order of finish were Js On Fire, Relentless Eagle, Cowboys Gun Z, Gotagogh and Shes A Jet One. Colleys Cartel was scratched.

All American Futurity(G1) winner Cowboys Gun Z was fractious in the gate before hopping at the start.