Refrigerator Championship

History was made at Lone Star Park on Saturday, as champion KJ Desparado became the first American Quarter Horse to surpass the $3-million mark in career earnings with his convincing victory in the 440-yard, $100,000 Refrigerator Championship Stakes (G1).

Prepped by Wes Giles for owners John Lee, Kathy Lee, and Ruben Mares, and sent to post as the 3-10 favorite in the full field of 10, KJ Desparado defeated 8-1 second choice Hesa Party Wagon by a clear 1 1/4 lengths in :21.345. Adrian Ramos rode the 4-year-old gelded son of world champion Apolltiical Jess, who banked $55,000 to bring his lifetime earnings to $3,031,599.

KJ Desparado was bred in Arizona by L & I Land and Cattle. The sport's champion 3-year-old in 2022, the gelding was also honored as an AQHA Supreme Race Horse in November of that year.

KJ Desparado was coming off of a second-place finish, a head behind winner Flash Bak, in the 440-yard, $350,000 Albuquerque Fall Championship (G1) on October 15. All told, the gelding has won 15 of 22 races -- including eight of 11 at the classic quarter-mile distance and five of five at Lone Star Park -- and his six Grade 1 wins include the 2021 All American Futurity (G1) at Ruidoso Downs and Texas Classic Futurity(G1) at Lone Star Park, and last year's Texas Classic Derby (G1) at Lone Star Park.

Getthere Fast, Jess The Leader, One Fabulous Boy, Shakers No Secret, Tic It To The Dance, Uncle Eds Idea, Jet Black Grace, and Lil Pete El Soruyo completed the order of finish.

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