Refrigerator Championship Preview

Refrigerator Championship Preview

Champion and all-time leading earner KJ Desparado returns Saturday at Lone Star Park.

KJ Desparado. PHOTO: Dustin Orona Photography

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KJ Desparado, a homebred 5-year-old son of world champion Apollitical Jess and the sport's all-time leading earner, will make his next start in Saturday's 440-yard, $100,000 Refrigerator Championship Stakes (G1) at Lone Star Park.

Trained by Wes Giles for owners John Lee, Kathy Lee, and Ruben Mares, KJ Desparado is coming off of a second-place finish, one length from winner Out Of The Way, in the October 5, $350,000 Albuquerque Fall Championship (G1) at Albuquerque Downs. The gelding has earned $3,178,099 from 26 races, and he's won eight of his 14 starts at the classic 440-yard trip.

KJ Desparado drew post 2 and will be ridden by Adrian Ramos.

Other prominent aged sprinters entered in the Refrigerator include Bella Vista Farms' A Tres Of Eagle, a 5-year-old One Fabulous Eagle gelding trained by Eddie Lee Willis. A Tres Of Eagle is coming off of a third-place finish, 1 1/2 lengths behind winner Shakers No Secret, in the October 26, 440-yard AQHA Racing Challenge Championship (G1) at Albuquerque Downs.

A Tres Of Eagle has won both of his outs at Lone Star Park, including last year's Grade 1 AQHA Challenge Championship. The gelding drew post 9 and will be ridden by Jhaciel Soto.

Trainer Toby Keeton will send out Visa, a 3-year-old Corona Cartel colt and one of three sophomores in the nine-horse field. Campaigned by Simmons Racing, Wootan Racing and Roger K. Beasley, Visa has earned $356,254 from seven races this year, and his season record includes second-place finishes in the July 27, $795,000 Rainbow Derby (G1), and the sport's richest race for 3-year-olds, the September 2, $1.041-million All American Derby (G1).

Visa drew the rail post and will be ridden by Bryan Candanosa.

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