Kas Prietito Rolls To Hill Country Classic Victory

Odds-on favorite Kas Prietito turned in a commanding performance Sunday afternoon at the Gillespie County Fairgrounds, scoring a 1-length victory in the $39,000 Hill Country Classic Stakes for 3-year-old and older Quarter Horses.

Breaking sharply under jockey Luis Angel Maldonado, Kas Prietito was in command throughout the 400-yard event and completed the distance in :19.887, earning a 91 speed index over a fast racing surface. The 4-year-old gelding faced an 8-mph headwind in the victory.

Trainer Carlos B. Sanchez saddled Kas Prietito for owners Fernando Soto and Rolando Soto. The Texas-bred gelding earned $23,400 for the victory, increasing his career earnings to $199,006 from 16 starts. He has won six races with four seconds and one third.

Rancho J S bred Kas Prietito, a son of multiple stakes sire Kas Tempting from the Azoom mare Marys Corazon.

Sunday's victory added another stakes score to Kas Prietito's stakes record. He also won the Sam Houston Classic (G2) and Willie Hickman Memorial Stakes (RG2), finished second in the TQHA Classic Stakes (RG2), and was third in the Gillespie County Fair Derby.

Liberater rallied strongly to finish second, 1 length behind the winner, earning $7,800 for owner Jesus A. Molina. Victor Manuel Urieta Jr. rode the 5-year-old gelding for trainer Joseph D. Manucy.

Bred by P & J Racing Ltd, Liberater is by This Is An Eagle from the American Runaway mare Liberte. He was a $13,500 purchase at the 2022 TQHA Yearling Sale. The runner-up effort increased his career earnings to $88,513 from 28 starts. His was also a runner-up in the TQHA Sale Juvenile and a finalist in the EVD Derby.

Paint Me Onis finished another 1 1/2 lengths behind Liberater in third and collected $3,900 for owner Mary Stratton. Raul Padilla Hernandez Jr. rode the 4-year-old gelding for trainer Joseph D. Manucy.

Bred by Scott Jeane, Paint Me Onis is by multiple stakes sire Paint Me Perry from Rl Toni Lynn, by Heza Fast Dash. The $3,900 payday increased his career bankroll to $167,449 from 16 starts. Paint Me Onis won the Mardi Gras Derby and has finished second in the Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile (RG2) and HDJ Butler Stakes (RG2). He was also third in the Sam Houston Classic (G2) and is a finalist in the Lee Berwick Futurity (RG1).

Completing the field were Sign of a Jet, Misterz Cashmaster and Eyeza Candy Cartel, respectively. Big Contract was scratched by the stewards.

Editor’s note: A photo of this race will be posted when it becomes available from the track photographer.

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