2025 Texas Turf Classic Stakes – Race Preview & Analysis
Date: June 28, 2025
Track: Lone Star Park
Race: Race 9
Distance: 1 1/8 Miles (Turf)
Purse: $250,000
Eligibility: 3-Year-Olds & Up
Post Time: 5:19 PM CT
Contenders Breakdown
1. Stay Hot
Pedigree: Summer Front – Etsu
Trainer: Peter Eurton
Jockey: Umberto Rispoli
Form: 012242
Analysis: Consistent 4YO ridgling with tactical speed. Summer Front is a proven turf sire, and Rispoli is a turf specialist. Could save ground from the rail and pounce late.
2. Funtastic Again
Pedigree: Funtastic – Repeta
Trainer: Wesley A. Ward
Jockey: Stewart Elliott
Form: 2/1329-6
Analysis: Lightly raced 5YO with graded stakes experience. Funtastic adds stamina, but recent form is spotty. Needs a return to early-career brilliance.
3. Emmanuel
Pedigree: More Than Ready – Hard Cloth
Trainer: Michael J. Maker
Jockey: Francisco Arrieta
Form: 5477-04
Analysis: Multiple graded stakes winner with back class. More Than Ready is a turf titan. If he finds his best stride, he’s a major threat.
4. Ocelot
Pedigree: Big Blue Kitten – More Miss Crissy
Trainer: Tristan Ashford
Jockey: David Cabrera
Form: 6-27101
Analysis: Lone Star local who just wired a field here by 4½ lengths. Big Blue Kitten adds turf stamina. Dangerous if left alone on the lead again.
5. What Say Thee
Pedigree: Sea The Stars (IRE) – Noisy Feet
Trainer: Michael J. Maker
Jockey: Edgar Morales
Form: 1951-39
Analysis: Euro-bred gelding with a classy pedigree. Sea The Stars is elite, but recent efforts have been flat. Needs a pace setup and rebound effort.
6. Gigante
Pedigree: Not This Time – Summertime Green
Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen
Jockey: Keith Asmussen
Form: 1-18295
Analysis: Graded stakes winner with a strong turn of foot. Not This Time adds class and versatility. Could be flying late if pace is honest.
7. Wicked Secret
Pedigree: Mendelssohn – Mum
Trainer: Whitney J. Zeringue Jr.
Jockey: Alfredo J. Juarez Jr.
Form: 526145
Analysis: Honest gelding with a grinding style. Mendelssohn adds turf upside. May be best used underneath in exotics.
8. Komorebino Omoide (JPN)
Pedigree: California Chrome – Decennial
Trainer: Robertino Diodoro
Jockey: Ramon A. Vazquez
Form: 4-22511
Analysis: Lone Star turf ace with back-to-back wins, including a sharp score over this course. California Chrome is proving versatile at stud. Major win contender.
9. Illustrator
Pedigree: Demarchelier (GB) – Prehistory
Trainer: H. Ray Ashford Jr.
Jockey: Iram Vargas Diego
Form: 41-2361
Analysis: Improving 4YO colt with a strong local win last out. Demarchelier is a turf-bred son of Dubawi. Could be peaking at the right time.
10. Creative Minister
Pedigree: Creative Cause – Tamboz
Trainer: Abel Ramirez-Rodriguez
Jockey: C.J. McMahon
Form: 301414
Analysis: Veteran gelding with tactical speed. Creative Cause adds stamina. May need a perfect trip from the far outside.
Top Picks:
Win Contender: Komorebino Omoide – sharp local form, tactical versatility
Main Rival: Emmanuel – back class, turf pedigree
Value Play: Illustrator – improving and underrated
Exacta Box: Komorebino Omoide, Emmanuel, Illustrator
Trifecta Add-On: Gigante – late kick and proven class
