Celebratingtheeagle Prevails In Tight Finish In $35,500 Gillespie County Fair Oaks

Celebratingtheeagle came out on top of a three-horse photo finish Sunday afternoon, defeating Political Looker by a nose in the $35,500 Gillespie County Fair Oaks at the Gillespie County Fairgrounds. Jes Relentless finished another nose back in third.

Ridden by Raul Ramirez, Jr., Celebratingtheeagle completed the 330 yards in :16.707, earning a 104 speed index over a fast racing surface. The 4-year-old filly overcame a bump and responded with a strong drive to get up at the wire. The race was contested into an 8 mph headwind.

Trainer Joseph D. Manucy saddled Celebratingtheeagle for owner Jesus A. Molina. The $21,300 winner's share increased her career earnings to $169,980 from a record of seven wins, six seconds and two thirds in 21 starts.

Bred in Texas by Debbie Eller, Celebratingtheeagle is a daughter of multiple stakes sire This Is An Eagle from the Azoom mare Zoomin N Celebrating. Molina purchased the sorrel filly for $29,000 at the 2023 TQHA Yearling Sale.

Her stakes record also includes a victory in the Miss Sam Houston Oaks, runner-up finishes in the TQHA Sophomore Stakes and La Villita Stakes, and a third in the Old South Derby. She was also a finalist in the Sam Houston Futurity(G2) and EVD Derby.

Political Looker battled throughout after breaking sharply and held second by a nose under jockey Luis L. Vivanco, earning $7,100 for owner The Cowboys. Ben Olaveson trains the 3-year-old daughter of leading sire Corona Cartel from the Apollitical Jess mare Looks Political.

Bred by McColee Land & Livestock LLC, Political Looker was a $37,000 purchase at the 2024 Heritage Place Yearling Sale. Sunday's effort improved her record to four wins, two seconds and two thirds from 11 starts with earnings of $60,644. She was also third in the Big Easy Futurity.

Jes Relentless finished strongly along the inside to take third for jockey Brian Cobos Barraza, earning $3,550. Heber Deyta-Melendez trains the 4-year-old mare for Heber Deyta Melendez and Maria Deleon.

Bred by Eddie Cramer and Tom or Bill Maher, Jes Relentless is by Hes Relentless from the Corona Cartel mare Jes All That. She sold for $19,000 at the 2025 Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale. Her stakes résumé includes a victory in the Mike Hastings Memorial Stakes and runner-up finishes in the Allred Brothers Stakes, Spring Fling Stakes and G.C.F.A. Dutchman Stakes.

Completing the field were Sheza a Whirlawaytoo, Di Kvn Waven, Hueys Wild Bay Be, Miss Nely, Takillya Onthe Hocks and Trixiee, who dead-heated for eighth, and Whirlaway Ilexus.

Editor’s note: A photo of this race will be posted when it bcomes avialable form the track photographer.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Would you like more industry news delivered directly to your inbox? Click here to sign up.