KJ Desparado, ridden by Adrian Ramos, wins the $118,000 Refrigerator Championship Stakes [G1] for the second year in a row on Saturday at Lone Star Park.
© Dustin Orona Photography
GRAND PRAIRIE, TX–NOVEMBER 16, 2024–KJ Desparado is now six for six at Lone Star Park after winning the $118,000 Refrigerator Championship Stakes [G1] on Saturday for the second year in a row.
Jockey Adrian Ramos rode KJ Desparado to victory in the 440-yard race, finishing in 21.350 seconds and achieving a speed index of 97 against a five mph headwind. The post-time favorite trailed Rgs Gold Wagon, who had an early lead right out of the gate but surged forward in the final stretch to win by a half-length. The winning effort paid $4.40 to win at 2-1 odds.
Rgs Gold Wagon, ridden by Francisco Calderon, placed second a neck ahead of A Tres Of Eagle and jockey Jhaciel Soto.
The seven-time Grade 1 winning powerhouse, KJ Desparado, has finally achieved his first stakes victory of the season after narrowly missing in his first four races. Following a second-place finish in the Downs at Albuquerque Fall Championship [G1] and a fourth-place finish in the All American Gold Cup [G1], tonight's win brought his lifetime total to 17 victories from 27 starts.
The $67,260 winner’s share of the purse increased his bankroll to $3,245,359, maintaining his ranking as the nation’s all-time leading money earner. His list of accolades includes AQHA Champion honor twice and Supreme Race Horse.
KJ Desparado’s seven Grade 1 wins include the All American Futurity, Texas Classic Futurity, Ruidoso Derby, Texas Classic Derby, All American Gold Cup and Refrigerator Championship Stakes (twice).
L&I Land & Cattle bred KJ Desparado in Arizona out of the Tres Seismare Tres Veses. Trainer Wes Giles conditions the five-year-old gelding for owners John and Kathy Lee and Ruben Mares.
Trainer Roy Garza named jockey Francisco Calderon to ride runner-up Rgs Gold Wagon for owner Maruico Garza. The four-year-old son of Prized Wagon has lit the board 20 out of 29 starts with $407,431 in the bank.
Roy Garza bred Rgs Gold Wagon, who has three Grade 3 stakes wins, including the King William Stakes earlier this season. The Oklahoma-bred gelding is out of JA Gols Debutante by Gol.
Eddie Lee Willis saddle A Tres Of Eagle, who has a record of 7-6-5 from 23 starts with $511,675 in earnings. The five-year-old son of One Fabulous Eagle has won five stakes races in his career, including the Remington Park Championship Challenge Stakes [G2] earlier this season.
A Tres Of Eagle’s owner, Bella Vista Farms, LLC, bought him for $40,000 in the Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale from his breeder, The Mixer Ranch. He is out of the Tres Seis mare A Tres Of Paint.
Hes A Jet One, Onthrocks, Apicosso Jess, Visa, Delight Interes and Revvs Cowboy complete the field.
For additional information for breeding contract call Royal Vista Ranch farm manager Laura Erickson at (405) 449-7575.
Story and images courtesy of Stallion E Search.
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