Practical Joke’s Tejano Twist Registers First Graded Stakes Wins

Practical Joke’s multiple stakes winning son Tejano Twist (4g Practical Joke x Haley’s Lolipop, by Cuvee) stepped his game up to another level on Saturday with a victory in the Grade III Whitmore Stakes at Oaklawn Park.

Breaking evenly with the rest of the field in the six furlong dirt race, Tejano Twist quickly took up his spot as one of the back markers when unhurried early. Around the far turn, the gelding was urged on and taken wide as he searched for room to make his way around the field. Finding that room at the top of the stretch, he rolled up the outside and continued to pull away in the end for a 1 ½ length victory.

Trained by Chris Hartman for JD Thoroughbreds and Joey Keith Davis, Tejano Twist has won seven of his 22 starts with seven other top three finishes for $763,604 I earnings. Among those placings are three stakes victories and four other stakes placings.

Tejano Twist is one of two stakes winners out of Grade III placed Haley’s Lolipop. That mare is a half-sister to Grade III winner Maddalena, who also produced Grade II winner Bern Identity among five stakes performers.

Practical Joke’s four stakes winners and three graded stakes winners this year is the best of his crop as is his 36 2023 winners.