(Grand Prairie, Texas - Thursday, October 18, 2018) - It's time to find out which top three-year-olds will earn a berth to compete in the $400,000 Texas Classic Derby (G1), which will be run on closing night of the 2018 Quarter Horse Season on Saturday, November 10.

A total of 47 entrants have been divided into four 440-yard trial races to be run Friday, October 19. The 10 with the fastest times from the trials will advance to the final. The Texas Classic Derby Trials have been designated races 7 through 10 on Friday's 12-race card. Gates open at 5:00 p.m. First race post time is 6:05 p.m. Post time for Race 7 is 8:41 p.m.

The trials have several exceptional individuals competing for one of the 10 coveted spots in the final, such as Bigg Daddy, who will be breaking from post position eight in race 9. Trained by Wes Giles, Bigg Daddy, a sorrel gelding by Big Daddy Cartel, is making his first appearance in the state. He debuted last year at Sunland Park, qualifying for the New Mexican Spring Futurity (G2), but finished eighth in the final. From there, he moved to Ruidoso Downs, where he finished third in the Mountain Top Futurity (G3), won the Zia Futurity (G1), and following that ran second in the All American Futurity (G1). This year, he has won all of his three outs, including the Zia Quarter Horse Derby (G2). His career earnings total $748,813. Lone Star Park Hall of Fame and 10-time world champion jockey G. R. Carter, Jr. will have the riding assignment for owners Too For Two.  

All American Derby (G1) winner Hotstepper has drawn post position two in race 10. The gelded son of One Famous Eagle qualified to the Rainbow Futurity (G1) last year, but finished eighth in the final. He stepped up his performance next by finishing third in the All American Futurity (G1). After that, he was the second fastest qualifier going into the Texas Classic Futurity (G1), finishing second in the final. Starting out his 2018 season, he qualified to the Mr Jess Perry Derby, where he was third. Next was the Rainbow Derby (G1) and a fourth place finish, following that by winning the All American Derby (G1). Sleepy Gilbreath trains Hotstepper, who has amassed earnings of $1,086,656 for the owners group of Johnny D. Cope, R.D. Hubbard, Rafter W Stables and Henry Southway. Jockey Cody Jenson will ride.

Last year's All American Futurity (G1) winner Fly Baby Fly is the top money earner in the trials, with a career total of $1,813,627. The daughter of One Famous Eagle will break from post seven in race 8. Trained by Jimmy Padgett, she has yet to win a race this year but placed in both her trial and the final All American Derby (G1) behind winner Hotstepper. She is owned byFly Baby Fly Partnership, and Rodrigo Vallejo will be aboard.

There are several more outstanding three-year-olds that will be competing in the trials, all going for broke in hopes of earning a time fast enough to race in the final.

The Texas Classic Futurity Trials are Saturday, October 20 and will have 14 races to accommodate the 137 entries.