Flying Cowboy 125 sired the top five, while Nestor Duran piloted the top three fastest qualifiers to the $683,700 TQHA Sale Futurity-RG1 finals on July 25.

© Jack Coady Photography

By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch

SELMA, TX–JULY 3, 2026–Thursday's program at Retama Park featured 88 juveniles competing in nine trial heats, all hoping to earn one of ten spots in the $683,700 TQHA Sale Futurity-RG1 finals on July 25.

The trials not only determined the 10 finalists for the July 25 championship, but also highlighted the horsemen who dominated the night's nine qualifying races at Retama Park.

Retama Park's leading rider, Nestor Duran, turned in the top riding performance, leading all jockeys with three trial victories while qualifying the three fastest times of the night.

Duran guided the night's two fastest qualifiers, Cowboys Flying (:17.795) and Whoopie Cowgirl (:17.919), for trainer Ramiro Villarreal before adding third-fastest qualifier Apollitical Cowboy (:17.992) for trainer Isidro Hinojosa.

When asked if he was surprised by the victories, Duran said, "None of them were really surprises to me. They are all really good horses who have been in big futurities. So I expected them to all give a really good race. Cowboys Flying ran impressive and clocked the fastest time, so I think that's going to be my favorite, but they will all come back good."

Jockey Oliver Martinez also qualified three finalists while recording two trial victories. He piloted fourth-fastest qualifier Natural Flyin Cowboy and 10th-fastest qualifier Miss Chilitos for trainer Jose Ivan Martinez, along with fifth-fastest qualifier Rocking Cowboy for trainer Enrique Alvarado.

The evening belonged to leading sire Flying Cowboy 123, whose offspring captured the top five qualifying positions for the July 25 final.

"It's a pleasure watching those Flying Cowboy 123 babies run, said Retama Park Racing Secretary, Mike Acton. It is reminiscent of when Pyc Paint Your Wagon had his best crop. They like to break well, run straight, and win. The finals should be exciting. There are a few others in the race with great pedigrees. It will be interesting to see who will finish on top in the Grade 1 Finals of the TQHA Sale Futurity in three weeks."

Fastest qualifier Cowboys Flying, who dominated the seventh trial under Duran, broke in second but quickly seized command and drew away to a 2¾-length victory while posting the fastest time of the night, :17.795 seconds with a 97 speed index.

Owned by Double J Racing, Cowboys Flying was bred by Dr. Tommy Hays out of the Carters Cartel mare Cartels Lady and sold for $53,000 at the TQHA Yearling Sale. The gelding entered the trials undefeated in three starts following his victory in the Texas Breeders Futurity and now boasts earnings of $252,746.

Second-fastest qualifier Whoopie Cowgirl cruised to a 2¾-length score in the third trial. The filly led throughout and stopped the clock in :17.919 seconds while earning a 94 speed index. Owned by Denis Moran and bred by Mark E. Rigby, the $35,000 TQHA Yearling Sale graduate is out of the Tac It Like A Man mare Tacarosie. The Grade 2 winner improved her record to three wins from five starts with earnings of $166,731.

Apollitical Cowboy completed Duran's sweep of the top three qualifiers with a dominant performance in the sixth trial. Despite stumbling at the start, the colt quickly recovered, took command and pulled away to win by 2½ lengths in :17.992 seconds, earning a 91 speed index.

The Isidro Hinojosa trainee races for Luis Armando Castellanos and Alfonso Rangel. Bred by JP Quarter Horses and purchased for $50,000 at the TQHA Yearling Sale, Apollitical Cowboy is out of the High Rate Of Return mare Too Kool To Return. The colt now owns a record of two wins and two seconds from five starts with earnings of $148,801 after previously finishing second in the Texas Breeders Futurity.

The $683,700 TQHA Sale Futurity (RG1) will be contested July 25 at Retama Park over 350 yards, following the second day of the TQHA Yearling Sale.

CLICK HERE for the complete list of Qualifiers

ABOUT RETAMA PARK
Retama Park is a Class 1 pari-mutuel horse racetrack located in Selma, Texas, just 15 minutes from downtown San Antonio. Live Quarter Horse races take place each summer, while simulcast wagering and races from around the world are shown daily. Managed by Penn Entertainment Inc. (NASDAQ – PENN), Retama Park opened in 1995 and is hosting its 31st season of horse racing in 2026. For more information and racing schedules, please visit www.RetamaPark.com and follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube.