With three major Paint races on the card for November 7, with each boasting quality fields of runners, racing fans had no shortage of excitement in 2026 Lone Star Park Paint races at Grand Prairie, Texas.
Veteran runner V Golden Game entered the gates for his third Olympia Joe Stakes, having previously finished third in 2024 and second in 2025. Third time was a charm for the gelding, who clinched the victory for his fourth trip to the winner’s circle this year.
TC Cruising Crue (pictured above) snagged his first stakes win in the Texas Hero Juvenile, closing his freshman season with a bang. Chile Gato earned the second win of his Paint racing career, though he has enjoyed extensive success this year racing in Quarter Horse meets and finished third in the 2026 All-American Futurity.
Paint racing closes soon for 2026; the 2027 season opens at Remington Park in Oklahoma City in March 2027. Find more details online at apha.com/racing.
$16,250 Olympia Joe Stakes
Winner: V Golden Game, a 2021 brown solid gelding by CRM Livewire x Game Hi (QH); ridden by Victor Manuel Urieta Jr., trained by Oscar Nunez, bred by Aubrey Garcia and owned by Jorge Vega, Alton, Texas
“Multiple graded stakes winner V Golden Game added another stakes victory to his record Saturday night, capturing the $16,250 Olympia Joe Stakes at Lone Star Park. The 5-year-old gelding overcame contact at the start before drawing clear to win by a half-length, covering 400 yards in :20.167 and earning an 81 speed index over a fast racing surface.
“Ridden by Victor Manuel Urieta Jr. for trainer Oscar Nunez, V Golden Game was sent off as the 2-1 favorite in the seven-horse field. After racing just off the early pace, he took command and held off a late-running I Do Not Recall to collect the $7,881 winner’s share for owner Jorge L. Vega.”
Read more about the Olympia Joe Stakes from StallioneSearch
$20,000 Texas Hero Juvenile Stakes
Winner: TC Cruising Crue, a 2024 sorrel solid gelding by Flying Cowboy 123 (QH) x Ring By Barb Wire; ridden by Bryan Candanosa, trained by Stacy Charette-Hill, and owned/bred by Carla Akers & Randy Perkins, Tolar, Texas
“TC Cruising Crue turned in a determined performance Saturday night at Lone Star Park, holding off favored Flying G Litos by a neck to capture the $20,000 Texas Hero Juvenile Stakes for 2-year-olds at 400 yards.
“Ridden by Bryan Candanosa for trainer Stacy Charette-Hill, TC Cruising Crue covered the distance in 20.319 seconds, earning a 77 speed index over a fast racing surface. The sorrel gelding, who broke from post six, moved into contention before taking command and holding off a determined late challenge from Flying G Litos.”
Read more about the Texas Hero Juvenile Stakes from StallioneSearch
$93,180 Texas Hero Futurity (G1)
Winner: Chile Gato, a 2024 sorrel overo stallion by Chilitos x Famous Phoebe (QH); ridden by Francisco Calderon, trained by Jed H. Vane, and owned/bred by Omar Paredes, Buda, Texas
“Chile Gato overcame a stumbling start to deliver a three-quarter-length victory in Saturday night’s $93,180 Texas Hero Futurity (G1) at Lone Star Park, leading a remarkable sweep of the top three finishing positions by offspring of Chilitos.
“The heavily favored Chile Gato, sent off at odds of 2-5, quickly recovered from his awkward break, established command, and held his advantage through the finish under champion jockey Francisco Calderon. The sorrel colt completed the 400 yards in 19.844 seconds, earning a speed index of 89, over a fast racing surface with a 3-mph crosswind.”
Read more about the Texas Hero Futurity from StallioneSearch
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The American Paint Horse Association is the world’s second-largest international equine breed association, registering more than a million horses in 59 nations and territories since it was founded in 1962. APHA promotes, preserves and provides meaningful experiences with Paint Horses.