(Grand Prairie, Texas - Friday, October 21, 2016) - Another great night of racing at Lone Star Park is in the books. The field for the Grade 1, $362,848 Texas Classic Derby was decided tonight from five trial races. The fastest 10 of the 42 entered have earned their chance at the prize in the final on Saturday, November 12.

Ten-time world champion jockey G. R. Carter, Jr., who retired at the end of the season last fall, decided retirement just wasn't all he thought it would be and returned to the saddle tonight. He was a late rider change on four of the hopefuls in tonight's trials. Not only did he qualify on all four, he was aboard the fastest qualifier, Jess B Heroic.

It was in the fifth race, Carter's first ride of the night, where he and Jess B Heroic set the bar. Breaking from the inside post he hesitated slightly, but soon grabbed the advantage finishing an impressive 1 1/4 lengths the best. Time for the 440-yard trial over a fast track was :21.474. The time was worth a speed index of 94 and held as the fastest throughout the remainder of the trials.

Jess B Heroic is owned in partnership by S. Bryant, J. Brooks, L. Lewis & D. Hubbard. The gelded son of Valiant Hero is from the barn of trainer Michael Joiner who, along with Carter, teamed up to qualify four to the final.

The top qualifiers to make up the Texas Classic Derby field are:

The Grade 1, $362,848 Texas Classic Derby will run on Saturday, November 12.