GRAND PRAIRIE, TX—NOVEMBER 6, 2021—Two-time Grade 1 winner Empressum returned to the win column Friday night with a nothing but "impressive performance" in the last of six trials for the Grade 1 Texas Classic Futurity.

Under jockey Rodrigo Vallejo the son of leading sire Apollitical Jess cruised to a three-length win while posting the top qualifying mark of :21.126 seconds into a 5 mph headwind.

Due to a timer malfunction in the final trial (race 10) Friday night, Lone Star Park officials followed specified procedures, listed on the back of the Texas Classic Derby(G1) nomination form, to determine times for that trial.

The nomination form for the Texas Classic Derby(G1) states: "Should a malfunction occur with the electronic timer on any time trial, finalists from that time trial will be determined by whatever the stewards, racing secretary and TQHA deem as the most accurate method available."

An average from the hand-times of multiple racing officials was used to determine the winning time given to the winner of the race, which becomes the basis of determining the official times of the horses finishing behind the winner.

Trainer M. Heath Taylor saddled Empressum to his eighth win in nine starts this year for owner-breeders Jeff Jones and Steve Holt.

Winner of the Rainbow QH Derby(G1), Ruidoso QH Derby(G1) and Remington Park Oklahoma-Bred Derby(RG2) this season, the sorrel colt suffered his only loss in the Grade 1 All American Derby on September 5th when a poor break caused him to alter course with no chance.

The Oklahoma homebred, from the First Down Dash mare Crazy Down Corona, has earned $857,059. He is the leading contender for year-end Championship honors in his division and a win in the November 27th Texas Classic Derby(G1) could seal deal.

Multiple graded stakes winner Hes Innocent battled Pops First Lady to a head win in the fifth trial to post the second fastest time of :21.436 seconds into a 5 mph headwind. Making his first start for trainer Heath Taylor, Hes Innocent races for owner Priscilla Rodriguez.

A winner of eight of 11 career starts, the son of a leading third-crop sire Hes Relentless won the Firecracker Derby (G3), Firecracker Futurity(G1) and the Texas Juvenile Invitational. He finished off the board for the time in his career in his last start, the Dash For Cash Derby(G2), after a troubled start.

Bred in Oklahoma by Debbie Strebig, from the Volcom mare End Of Innocence, Hes Innocent has earned $347,315. His connections recently announced he will enter stud in 2022 at Louisiana Center For Equine Reproduction in Opelousas, Louisiana.

Kj Sonny P, under jockey Adrian Ramos, won the third trial by three-quarters to get the third fastest time of :21.443 seconds. Trainer Wesley Giles saddled the son of Apollitical Jess to his second win in only seven career starts for owners John and Wanda Lee and Ruben Mares.

Bred in Arizona by L&I Land & Cattle, Kj Sonny P is out of Tres Veses by Tres Seis. He has earned $67,250 and was a finalist in the Grade 1 Ruidoso QH Derby last summer.

Giles led all trainers, saddling three Texas Classic Derby finalists on Friday evening. He also qualified 5th fastest Apolliticalfastprize and 7th fastest Valiantt.

All American Derby(G1) winner Instygator was scratched in the sixth race (trial 2) Friday night.

The 10 fastest qualifiers will face off in the 440 yard $393,415. Texas Classic Derby(G1) final at Lone Star Park Saturday, November 27th. For a complete list of qualifiers, times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.

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About Lone Star Park
Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie; A major league sports entertainment attraction that features two exciting racing seasons annually. Over 700,000 guests visit our beautiful facility each year, which features a seven-level glass-enclosed Grandstand, highlighted by our 1,200-seat Silks Dining Room and our 48 luxurious Penthouse Suites, all overlooking the newest race track in Texas. Situated next to our Grandstand is the 36,000 square foot world-class Las Vegas-style Racebook and simulcast facility, Bar & Book, which features wagering on horse racing from around the world 7-days a week year-round.

Lone Star Park is located on Beltline Road, just ˝ mile north of I-30 in Grand Prairie, Texas. Visit LoneStarPark.com for more information.