Kj Desparado closes on 2-year-old championship with Texas Classic Futurity score
Kj Desparado likely wrapped up a 2-year-old championship Saturday night when he won his second major Quarter Horse race of the year in the Grade 1, $1.1 million Texas Classic Futurity at Lone Star Park.
Kj Desparado in September captured the Grade 1, $3 million All American Futurity at Ruidoso Downs.
The Texas Classic Futurity is the state's richest race and anchored a card of six stakes that included the Grade 1, $200,000 Refrigerator Invitational Championship, won by Danjer, and the Grade 1, $393,419 Texas Classic Derby, won by Empressum.
Kj Desparado ($6.40) was a 1 1/4-length winner over San Lorenzo Tay in the Texas Classic Futurity. He covered 400 yards on a sloppy, sealed track in 19.38 seconds. Adrian Ramos was aboard the gelding by Apollitical Jess for trainer Wesley Giles.
Kj Desparado races for John Lee, Kathy Wanda Lee and Ruben Mares.
Empressum ($2.80) was a length winner over B Cause Im a Hero in the Texas Classic Derby to improve his 2021 record to 9 for 10. Earlier this year, he won both the Ruidoso and Rainbow derbies at Ruidoso Downs.
Empressum covered 440 yards on a sloppy track in 21.03 seconds. Rodrigo Vallejo was aboard the son of Apollitical Jess for trainer Heath Taylor. Empressum races for Jeff D. Jones and Steve Holt.
Danjer, the reigning champion older male, won his fourth Grade 1 stakes of the year in the Refrigerator. He rallied for a 1 1/4-length win over Mi Amor Secreto.
Danjer covered 440 yards on the sloppy track in 21.18 seconds and paid $3. Cody Smith was aboard the winner for co-owner and trainer Dean Frey. Danjer, a son of Fdd Dynasty, also races for Downtime Enterprises and Billy G. Smith.
Earlier this year, the horse won the Remington Park Invitational Championship, the All American Gold Cup, and the Challenge Championship.
Frey said before the Refrigerator that the race was likely the final start of the year for Danjer.