(Grand Prairie, Texas - Saturday, November 10, 2018) - Talk about good fortune … it certainly was for winning jockey J. R. Ramirez. Jose Alvarez was named to ride Jess Leaving Fast in tonight's Texas Classic Juvenile, but couldn't make it. Needing a rider, Ramirez was asked to ride, and it sure paid off, with a win in the $53,403 Texas Classic Juvenile Stakes.

"He's a solid two year old," said winning rider J. R. Ramirez. "They asked if I wanted to ride him. I don't know why the other rider pulled off of him, but he had a good chance to win."

And win he did. Favorite Jess Leaving Fast was second out of the gates but quickly took over the lead a few strides later and never slowed, winning the 400-yard race in :19.884 seconds. Breaking from the far outside, Dak was first out of the gate, but found himself in sixth place at mid-stretch. Dak really dug in trying to get up, but was only able to get up for place, three-quarters of a length behind the winner. Senor Ryno finished a neck back for third.

A son of Heza Fast Dash, Jess Leaving Fast, trained by Santiago Riojas, Jr. earned $23,765 for owner Double H Racing Investment LLC, bringing his career total to $74,846. This was his third career win from six starts.

"It was a heartbreaker that we didn't qualify for the million," said trainer Santiago Riojas, Jr. "He's come back and run a good race."

Santiago said they had supplemented him to the Evangeline Futurity, to be run Saturday, December 15, with trials on November 23. The supplemental fee was $5,000.

Mutuels on the winner paid $5.20, $3.40 and $3.00. Dak returned $3.60 and $2.80 for place and Senator Ryno paid on show wager $7.40. Sera Jess Fine V, Texaslittlebro, The Fish Cartel, All Sophia Wanted, Slying Schott, Five Bar Stoli and The Grand Legend completed the order of finish.