“I have to thank Steve Asmussen and all the owners and trainers who gave me opportunities and put me on great horses,” said Elliott. “Also, to my agent Scott Hare, who did a great job, as always. I'm very appreciative to be in this position.”

Asmussen won his 14th training title at the northwest Houston racetrack, following honors as top trainer in 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. Asmussen started 259 runners, finishing with a record of 51 wins, 41 seconds, 55 thirds and earnings of $1,554,306. He conditions Stonestreet Stable's homebred Pauline's Pearl (Tapit), who captured the richest race of the annual Sam Houston Thoroughbred season, the $400,000 GIII Houston Ladies Classic.

End Zone Athletics, Inc. clearly topped the owner standings, finishing with 22 wins, 29 seconds and 18 third-place finishes from 137 starters. The ownership group, founded by Karl Broberg, has been a force at Sam Houston for over a decade with previous titles in 2018 and 2020.

The post Elliott, Asmussen, End Zone Athletics Take Sam Houston Titles appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

For the second year in a row, Sam Houston Race Park set a new all-source handle record with $5.98 million wagered on the 11-race program. This number topped last year's wagering record of 5.3 million and the $5.2 million wagered on the NTRA Great State Challenge in 2002.

Stonestreet Stable LLC's homebred Pauline's Pearl won the richest race on the card, the Grade 3, $400,000 Houston Ladies Classic.

It was the third win in the Houston Ladies Classic for Hall of Fame conditioner Steve Asmussen, who trained previous winners Midnight Bisou and Lady Apple. On Sunday, Pauline's Pearl, at odds of 3-5, joined the list as his third winner of the featured race since the Houston Ladies Classic was inaugurated in 2013.

“This is a very key race and the mares who have won this have a big say in the stakes for older mares,” said Asmussen. “Pauline's Pearl is a very nice Stonestreet homebred who has been training extremely well and we are proud of this victory.”

Asmussen spoke about the future of the talented filly.

“She won the Fantasy at Oaklawn last year, so we will head back to Hot Springs and hope she continues to progress,” he added.

The multiple graded stakes placed filly won the Fantasy (G3) at Oaklawn Park last spring before competing in the Kentucky Oaks (G1). She is a daughter of Tapit and is out of the Dixie Union mare Hot Dixie Chick, a multiple graded stakes winner who Asmussen also trained during her racing career.

With her share of the Houston Ladies Classic purse, Pauline's Pearl is just shy of becoming racing's newest millionaire, with $968,500 earned in 11 starts and four wins.

The victory gave Joel Rosario his second stakes win of the day. The pair sat off the pace early and had their work cut out for them as they swung wide in the final turn and pulled clear of runner-up Golden Curl in the stretch to win by 3 3/4 lengths. The final time for the mile and one-sixteenth on the main track stake on the main track was 1:44.43. Golden Curl sat comfortably in second place throughout the race with Tyler Gaffalione aboard for trainer Shawn Davis.

“The trip set up beautifully for us,” said Gaffalione. “She broke alertly and the favorite went ahead. I was able to get to her outside. She settled nicely and even though we couldn't catch the winner, my filly gave a good performance today.”

The 6-year-old Curlin mare is also bred by Stonestreet and is owned by George Sharp. She made her debut in Houston in the Ladies Classic and was a stakes winner at Remington last fall.

Corey Lanerie and Audrey's Time finished third for trainer Neil Pessin. Owned by Lothenbach Stables, Audrey's Time is a 4-year-old daughter of Uncle Mo who shipped in fresh off a win at the Fair Grounds in the $75,000 Joseph “Spanky” Broussard Stakes.

Becca's Rocket completed the superfecta while pacesetter The Mary Rose finished fifth, followed by Velvet Crush and Champagne Affair.

The post Pauline’s Pearl Gives Asmussen Third Houston Ladies Classic Victory appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

With track officials expressing hopes that the North American Graded Stakes committee will boost its status from Grade III for 2022, the purse for the Houston Ladies Classic has been increased from $300,000 to $400,000. Slated this year for Jan. 30 as part of the Houston Racing Festival, the Ladies Classic has been won by some high-profile fillies and mares in its nine renewals, including superstar Midnight Bisou (Midnight Lute) in 2019 and likely champion older female Letruska (Super Saver) this year.

The Houston Racing Festival will also feature the $200,000 Connally, $100,000 Pulse Power Turf Sprint, $75,000 Jersey Lilly Turf S., $75,000 Stonerside Sprint and the $200,000 Bob Bork Texas Turf Mile–formerly the Texas Turf Mile–for sophomores.

Bork, the former president of Sam Houston, passed away in June at the age of 83.

“Bob Bork set a tremendous foundation for the growth of Sam Houston Race Park when he was hired in 1995,” said Dwight Berube, the track's vice president and general manager. “Throughout his 12-year tenure, he was admired by horsemen, horseplayers and employees and initiated many programs that have been emulated by racetracks across the country. We look forward to honoring him on the premier day of our upcoming racing season.”

The Ladies Classic and Connally will be run Lasix-free.

Frank Hopf, who was recently promoted to the role of assistant general manager, said of the upcoming meet, “Over the past three years, we have received tremendous support from all of the stakeholders in Texas and the horseplayers have responded to the improved racing product. The goal is to build on the positives from 2021 and continue to enhance Texas racing.”

The post Houston Ladies Classic Gets Purse Bump appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

The 2022 Thoroughbred Stakes schedule will offer $2,275,000 in purses. Its Houston Racing Festival is set for Sunday, January 30 headlined by the Houston Ladies Classic (G3) and the John B. Connally Turf (G3).  Inaugurated in 2013, the Houston Ladies Classic was formed to serve as the marquee racing event for Sam Houston's Thoroughbred meet. Now in its tenth running, the mile and one-sixteenth Houston Ladies Classic continues to produce exceptional champions that make an impact on the national radar throughout the year.

St. George Stable's Letruska continues to deny her rivals in graded stakes competition across the United States. Following her commanding victory in the Houston Ladies Classic, the 5-year-old mare by Super Saver has won five stakes, including four Grade 1 titles. She currently ranks second in the NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll, a weekly salute to the ten leading Thoroughbreds in North America and will compete next in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Distaff at Del Mar.

The purse for the Houston Ladies Classic has been raised from $300,000 to $400,000 for the coming year and officials are hopeful that the North American Graded Stakes committee will boost its status from the Grade 3 level when announcement is made later this year.

The Houston Racing Festival also includes the Grade 3, $200,000 John B. Connally Turf Cup, the $100,000 Pulse Power Turf Sprint, the $75,000 Jersey Lilly Turf Stakes and $75,000 Stonerside Sprint. The $200,000 Texas Turf Mile for three-year-olds has attracted full field for the last two years and has been renamed as the Bob Bork Texas Turf Mile.

Bob Bork was a respected racing executive who joined Sam Houston Race Park as senior vice president and general manager in 1995 and was promoted to president in 2002. He passed away peacefully at his home in Houston on June 11, 2021 at the age of 83.

Dwight Berube, who worked for Bork throughout his Sam Houston Race Park tenure, is now the racetrack's vice president and general manager.

“Bob Bork set a tremendous foundation for the growth of Sam Houston Race Park when he was hired in 1995,” said Berube. “Throughout his 12-year tenure, he was admired by horsemen, horseplayers and employees and initiated many programs that have been emulated by racetracks across the country. We look forward to honoring him on the premier day of our upcoming racing season.”

Opportunities for Texas-breds will be plentiful in the upcoming meet with 14 Texas-bred stakes. All seven stakes races on Texas Champions Day will run with purses of  $100,000.

Frank Hopf, who was recently promoted to Sam Houston Race Park's Assistant General Manager, is eager for racing to return in January.

“Over the past three years, we have received tremendous support from all of the stakeholders in Texas and the horseplayers have responded to the improved racing product,” said Hopf. “The goal is to build on the positives from 2021 and continue to enhance Texas racing.'

Additionally, Hopf also announced that both the Houston Ladies Classic (G3) and the John B. Connally Turf (G3) will run Lasix-free in 2022.

2022 Sam Houston Race Park Thoroughbred Stakes Schedule

Thursday, January 20, 2022             Clarence Scharbauer, Jr. Texas Stallion Stakes Series

$75,000 My Dandy – 3yo – 5 ½ Furlongs

$75,000 Darby's Daughter – 3yo F – 5 ½ Furlongs

Sunday, January 30, 2022                            Houston Racing Festival – Over $1,000,000 in Purses

$400,000 Houston Ladies Classic (G3) – 4&up F&M – 1 1/16 Mile

$200,000 John B. Connally Turf (G3) – 4&up – 1 1/2 Mile (T)

$200,000 Bob Bork Texas Turf Mile- 3YO -1 Mile (T)

$100,000 Pulse Power Turf Sprint – 4&up – 5 Furlongs (T)

$75,000 Jersey Lilly Turf – 4&up F&M – 1 1/16 Mile (T)

$75,000 Stonerside Sprint – 4&up – 6 Furlongs

Saturday, February 19, 2022                       Texas Preview Day for Texas-breds

$75,000 Jim's Orbit – 3yo – 6 Furlongs

$75,000 Two Altazano – 3yo F – 6 Furlongs

$75,000 H-Town – 4 YO & up 7 Furlongs

$75,000 Miss Bluebonnet Turf – 4&up F&M – 1 Mile (T)

$75,000 Houston Turf – 4&up – 1 1/16 Miles (T)

Saturday, February 26, 2022                       Texas Arabian Night

$30,000-added Texas Six Shooter (G3) – 4 &5 yo – 7 Furlongs

$30,000-added Yellow Rose (G3) – 4 &5 yo F&M – 7 Furlongs

Saturday, March 19, 2022                            Darley Night

$30,000 Darley Distaff – 4 yo & up F&M – 7 Furlongs

$30,000 Darley Sprint – 4 yo & up – 7 Furlongs

Saturday, March 26, 2022                            Texas Champions Day for Texas-breds

$100,000 Bara Lass Stakes – 3yo F – 6 Furlongs

$100,000 Groovy Stakes – 3yo – 6 furlongs

$100,000 Richard King – 4&up – 1 1/8 Mile (T)

$100,000 San Jacinto – 4&up F&M – 1 1/16 Mile (T)

$100,000 Spirit of Texas – 4&up – 6 Furlongs

$100,000 Yellow Rose Stakes – 4&up F&M – 6 furlongs

$100,000 Star of Texas – 4&up -1 Mile

James Leatherman will serve as racing secretary for the Thoroughbred live racing season and the 25-day Sam Houston Race Park Quarter Horse meet which will run from Friday, April 22 through Saturday, June 18. Stall applications for the upcoming Thoroughbred season are due by Wednesday, November 3.  The Sam Houston Race Park barn area will open on Friday, December 3 with training hours set to commence on Monday, December 6. The first condition book is available on equibase.com and further information about the season can be accessed at shrp.com.

Sam Houston Race Park is Houston's premier racing and entertainment facility, located just 15 miles from downtown Houston.  The Park offers a variety of attractions including a Suite Level featuring luxurious suites overlooking the racetrack and accommodating groups from 20 to 300 people, The Pavilion Centre, and award-winning dining options at the Winner's Circle Restaurant and the Jockey Club.  For more information on upcoming live racing, shows, events and tickets, please visit www.shrp.com.

The post Sam Houston Boosts Purse For Houston Ladies Classic To $400,000 In 2022 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

MIke Maker-trained Ujjayi finished second, with 2020 Houston Ladies Classic winner Lady Apple four lengths farther back in third and Tom Amoss-trained Figure It Out fourth. Motion Emotion, who like Lady Apple is trained by Steve Asmussen, finished fifth after making a bold mid-race move to pressure the eventual winner. Ken McPeek-trained Jeweled Princess finished sixth and Scott Geiner-trained Shes Our Fastest rounded out the field of seven.

Trained by Fausto Gutierrez, who brought the 5-year-old Kentucky-bred mare to the United States from Mexico City near the end of the 2019 racing season after winning all six of her races there, Letruska covered 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:45.02 after setting fractions of :23.66, :48.56, 1:12.99 and 1:38.42.  She paid $2.80 as the 2-5 favorite and was winning for the 12th time in 16 career starts. Six of those wins have come in the U.S., including two other graded stakes: the G3 Shuvee at Saratoga last August and the G3 Rampart at Gulfstream Park in her last start on Dec. 12.

The Houston Ladies Classic was one of six stakes – two of them graded – with over $1 million in purses offered on Sunday's Houston Racing Festival program that saw wagering total $5,342,599.

The post Front-Running Letruska Too Much For Houston Ladies Classic Foes appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Two graded stakes will be contested, the Grade 3, $300,000 Houston Ladies Classic and the Grade 3, $200,000 John B. Connally Turf. Full and highly competitive fields have been drawn for the remaining four undercard stakes, with an encouraging weather forecast for the Sunday afternoon program.

Exceptional Group of 3-Year-Olds To Run in $200,000 Texas Turf Mile
The quality and quantity of entries exceeded expectations for the first running of the $200,000 Texas Turf Mile last January. The race garnered even greater interest this year with an overflow field and 3-year-olds from a wide range of the leading North American trainers.

Eclipse Award winning trainer Todd Pletcher has entered two promising runners and confirmed that Fighting Force will make the trip from South Florida. The Kentucky-bred son of Air Force Blue drew post position five with Jesus Castanon in the saddle. The dark bay colt broke his maiden on December 5, advancing into stakes company, finishing second in the $75,000 Dania Beach at Gulfstream Park on January 2 for owners Michael B. Tabor, Mrs. John Magnier and Derrick Smith.

“Fighting Force has been very consistent,” said Pletcher. “He faced tough company in the Dania Beach and gave a good effort.”

Pletcher, who won the 2017 Houston Ladies Classic with Unbridled Mo, was not surprised that the stakes, in just its second year, drew such a competitive field.

“It's a great spot on the calendar with a good purse,” he added.

William T. Reed's homebred Excess Magic brings a two-race win streak into the stakes and drew post position three with jockey Miguel Mena up. Trainer Bret Calhoun, who has won a high percentage of Texas-bred stakes at Sam Houston Race Park, is keen on the colt by Magician.

“I love the post and Miguel will not have to worry about saving ground,” said Calhoun. “Excess Magic was disqualified in his first start (at Evangeline Downs on August 21) and destroyed them on his turf start at Remington Park. This horse has a really good turn of foot; I'm proud of him!”

Prominent horseman Mark Casse who ran Jack and Noah (FR) in the 2020 Texas Turf Mile, will ship in Palazzi, a colt by Pioneerof the Nile. Owned by John C. Oxley, he exits a maiden special weight win on the Fair Grounds turf last month. Declan Carroll has the call and will break from the rail.

The Texas Turf Mile will run as the seventh race on the card with an approximate post time of 5:00 pm CT.

The field, from the rail, with riders and morning-line odds is as follows: Palazzi, Declan Carroll, 6-1; Texas Bad Boy, Domingo Chacaltana, 15-1; Excess Magic, Miguel Mena, 9-2; Invincibility, Stewart Elliott., 12-1; Fighting Force, Jesus Castanon, 3-1; Harlan Estate, Ruben Fuentes, 10-1; Red N Wild, Sophie Doyle, 15-1; Chess's Dream, Julien Leparoux, 20-1; Dyn O Mite, Ty Kennedy, 20-1; Bobby Brinkley, Danny Sorenson30-1; Winfromwithin, Albin Jimenez, 7-2 and Catman, Rafael Hernandez ,20-1. Two also-eligibles include Flash of Mischief. Ry Eikleberry, 20-1 and TD Dance, Reylu Gutierrez, 20-1.

12 Contenders to Vie Five Furlongs in $100,000 Pulse Power Sprint 

The $100,000 Pulse Power Turf Sprint, a five-furlong turf stakes, will kick off the stakes action with a full field of 12 competing in the fifth race of the Houston Racing Festival card.

Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen, who has been honored as Sam Houston Race Park's leading trainer 12 times, won the 2012 edition of this stakes with Great Mills.  He will saddle Share The Upside who has a perfect three-for-three turf record for owners Hill n Dale Equine Holdings, Inc. and Windsor Boys Racing LLC. Sam Houston's leading rider Stewart Elliott will guide the 6-year-old son of Maclean's Music.

“He's won some really nice races,” said Asmussen. “He's undefeated on the turf and as fast as he is, it doesn't matter where he draws.”

Conditioner Joe Sharp returns with Brad Grady's Fast Boat, a 6-year-old son of City Zip. He has won seven of his 21 turf starts and will be ridden by Lindey Wade as the 7-2 morning line choice. Last year, he ran a game second to Real News.

“Brad and I discussed our options and just felt that Fast Boat had not shown an affinity for the Fair Grounds turf course,” said Sharp. “He drew a little further outside in this year's sprint. We have faith in Lindey getting him in a good position.”

Carotari will make his Sam Houston Race Park debut for trainer Brian Lynch, who is also shipping in Spooky Channel for the Grade 3, Connally Turf Cup. The 5-year-old son of Artie Schiller will be ridden by Julien Leparoux for owner William Branch. This will be his first start since the Grade 2, Turf Sprint at Churchill Downs on September 4.

“He's a very fast horse,” stated Lynch. “He set a five-furlong track record at Saratoga and faced some serious company last year. We gave him a freshening and he's been working well for this.”

Notables include eight-time turf winner Mo Maverick and Tiger Blood, from the barn of Mike Maker and Kingpin, a son of Quality Road who will break from the far outside post for trainer Michael Stidham.  It will be very nice to welcome back conditioner Michelle Lovell, a former jockey, who began her training career at Sam Houston Race Park in 2003. She will send in Change of Control, a 5-year-old mare by Fed Biz. She exits a third-place finish in the Nelson Menard Stakes at Fair Grounds and will be ridden by Sophie Doyle.

Veteran Bourbon Cowboy Sets Sights on Victory in $75,000 Stonerside Sprint 

A field of nine will compete Sunday in the $75,000 Stonerside Sprint, which will run as the sixth race of the card. Nitrous, a 5-year-old son of Tapit, owned by Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC and Stonestreet Stables LLC, drew the rail post position in the six-furlong main track sprint. Stewart Elliott has the call aboard the 8-5 choice for Steve Asmussen. The gray, who has earned $547,796 in 18 starts, ships to Houston following his victory in the $125,000 Thanksgiving Classic at Fair Grounds.

“He's a Winchell homebred coming off a good win,” said Asmussen.

While Nitrous and fellow Fair Grounds shipper Hollis, from the barn of John Alexander Ortiz, will likely garner the heavy share of the betting public, trainer Scott Young has high hopes for Bourbon Cowboy.  The 9-year-old son of Cowboy Cal was claimed at Remington Park last August for $20,000 by Young and his owner Terral Hogan. He won sprinting at the Oklahoma City racetrack on December 12 and his four-length victory at Sam Houston on January 9 propelled Young to nominate the Kentucky-bred gelding for the Stonerside Sprint.

“It took a couple of races for him to get his confidence back,” explained Young, who is hitting the board at Sam Houston at a 41% clip this meet. “This is such a neat horse; he's quite a character and loves attention.  He's been training tremendously, so we hope for a good race on Sunday.”

Formerly named the Sam Houston Sprint Cup, this stakes was renamed in 2019 to honor the late Robert C. McNair and his Stonerside Stable. The well-respected Thoroughbred operation, based in central Kentucky, produced national and international racing stars, including Congaree, Bob and John, Tout Charmont and Chilukki. McNair sold Stonerside Stable to Darley in 2008 to devote his full attention to his Houston Texans NFL team and numerous philanthropic causes.

Catch a Bid Leads Field of Fillies and Mares in $75,000 Jersey Lilly Turf Stakes

The $75,000 Jersey Lilly Stakes, a mile and-one-sixteenth turf feature for fillies and mares, will close out the Houston Racing Festival card.

Catch a Bid, a 5-year-old mare by Real Solution, has been installed as the 7-5 morning line favorite. Owned by Highlander Training Center, she is trained by Joe Sharp, who looks forward to her Sam Houston Race Park debut.

“She was formerly trained by Chad Brown and faced some very tough company,” said Sharp. “We bought her out of the November Mixed Sale at Keeneland. She should like the firm Connally Turf course and we felt this would be a good starting point for her year.”

Stunning Sky, owned by Paradise Farms Corp., will ship in for trainer Mike Maker. The  4-year-old daughter of Declaration of War, made her last start at Gulfstream Park, running fifth in the $75,000 Tropical Park Oaks. Julien Leparoux has the call on the 3-1 second choice.

Morning Molly, who made her last start at Tampa Bay Downs for conditioner Tom Proctor is another solid contender. Trainer Mark Casse sends in No Mo Temper, who closed well in her most recent turf start also at Tampa.  Curlin's Journey, who ran fourth in last year's edition of the Jersey Lilly, returns for the Dallas Keen barn with jockey Sophie Doyle in the saddle.

Two Graded Stakes Set for Houston Racing Festival

The ninth renewal of the Grade 3, $300,000 Houston Ladies Classic will run as the eighth race on the Houston Racing Festival Card. The field of seven, from the rail, with riders and morning line odds, is as follows: Motion Emotion, Miguel Mena, 7-2; Jeweled Princess, Reylu Gutierrez, 8-1; Ujjayi, Rafael Manuel Hernandez, 6-1; Lady Apple, Stewart Elliott, 4-1; Figure It Out, Lane Luzzi, 15-1; Shes Our Fastest, Ry Eikleberry, 20-1 and Letruska, Jesus Castanon, 1-1.

In addition, the Grade 3, John B. Connally Turf Cup, which will run as the ninth race on the card, attracted a full field of turf specialists. The field for the one and one-half mile stakes, from the rail, with riders and morning-line odds is as follows: Celerity, Iram Diego, 30-1; Signalman, Reylu Gutierrez, 12-1; Ajourneytofreedom, Jesus Castanon, 10-1; Tenfold, Stewart Elliott., 6-1; Conviction Trade, Rafael Hernandez, 7-2; Marzo, Albin Jimenez, 10-1; Tuts Revenge, Ry Eikleberry, 9-2; Chagi, Weston Hamilton, 50-1; Vettori Kin(Brz), Miguel Mena, 20-1; Spooky Channel, Julien Leparoux, 5-2; Strong Tide, Sophie Doyle, 30-1 and Henley's Joy, Declan Carroll ,15-1.

Houston Racing Festival Broadcast Team

Sam Houston Race Park has assembled a talented group of handicappers and Thoroughbred industry veterans to guide racing fans through the premier day of the 2021 Thoroughbred season. The team includes Sam Houston's track announcer Chris Griffin; racing publicist Martha Claussen who will conduct post-race interviews and special guest, former Parx announcer Keith Jones, who now calls Houston home. In addition handicappers Nick Tammaro, Trey Stiles, Jessica Paquette and Andy Villanueva will combine for paddock previews of each of the races, comprehensive analysis and suggested Pick 4 tickets which will be posted on the live feed and shared on Twitter.

The post Major Stables Represented In Sunday’s Stakes Rich Houston Racing Festival appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Now in its ninth running, the Houston Ladies Classic, at a mile and one-sixteenth on the main track, has been a springboard for top older fillies and mares, and once again attracted a highly competitive field.

Defending champion Lady Apple is a 5-year-old daughter of Curlin out of the Clever Trick mare Miss Mary Apples owned by Phoenix Thoroughbred III and KatieRich Farms. Trained by Hall of Fame conditioner Steve Asmussen, the Kentucky-bred mare has won six of her 18 starts with earnings of $1,045,984. One year ago, she closed gamely to defeating a contentious field which included 2019 Kentucky Oaks champion Serengeti Empress and Street Band. Following her victory, Asmussen shipped her to Oaklawn Park where she competed in both the G2 Azeri and G1 Apple Blossom. Her third place finish in last month's Spanky Broussard at Fair Grounds served as a solid prep for her return to Sam Houston Race Park, where she will break from post position four under veteran rider Stewart Elliott at odds of 4-1.

“She needed that race, and I had no problem with the result,” said Asmussen. “Lady Apple is a quality filly who loves the track surface at Sam Houston and is training really well.”

Letruska, bred and owned by St. George Stable, LLC, has been installed as the even-money favorite. The 5-year-old mare by Super Saver out of the Successful Appeal mare Magic Appeal has won 11 of her 15 career efforts including the G3 Shuvee last August at Saratoga. She exits a victory last month in the Grade 3, $100,000 Rampart at Gulfstream Park and when her trainer Fausto Gutierrez began planning her 5-year-old campaign, he felt that the Houston Ladies Classic would be an ideal beginning.

“She's a filly with a great deal of speed,” explained Gutierrez. “We removed the blinkers and felt that she finished much better. I ran at Sam Houston twenty years ago and know it has an excellent track surface. They have always attracted quality fields for the Ladies Classic and I feel that this will be a perfect start for her year. Our plan is to head to Oaklawn Park and point to the (Grade 1) Apple Blossom.”

Letruska was flown from South Florida to New Orleans and vanned from Fair Grounds to Sam Houston Race Park early Sunday morning. Jockey Jesus Castanon has the call aboard the bay mare and will break from post position seven.

Asmussen will also saddle Motion Emotion for owners MyRacehorse.com and Spendthrift Farm LLC. The 5-year-old mare sired by Take Charge Indy has topped the half-million dollar mark in her 16 career starts and will be ridden by Miguel Mena at odds of 7-2. Sunday's race will be her first start since running fourth in the G1 Personal Ensign at Saratoga. She has been stabled at Asmussen's Sam Houston barn all month, with a solid work tab, including two bullet drills on Jan. 16 and 23.

“She's been training like a steam engine,” declared Asmussen. “We are fortunate that Spendthrift bought her at the Night of the Stars Sale (on Nov. 8) and look forward to running her in the Ladies Classic.”

A victory by Motion Emotion or Lady Apple would vault Asmussen into the record books as the only conditioner to win three editions of the Houston Ladies Classic. Asmussen, who is nominated for Eclipse Award winning trainer honors along with Brad Cox and Bob Baffert, won with Midnight Bisou in 2019. The remarkable champion went on to capture five Grade 1 stakes, banking $7.4 million and was honored as 2019 Eclipse Award winning Older Female. Larry Jones is the only other trainer to win two Ladies Classic titles.

Jeweled Princess is on target to ship to Houston and represent owners Walking L Thoroughbreds of The Woodlands, Texas. Trained by Kenny McPeek, the 4-year-filly by Cairo Prince, earned her fourth career win on Dec. 18 at Remington Park when she captured the $75,000 She's All In Stakes. Jockey Reylu Gutierrez has the call at odds of 8-1. He joined the Sam Houston jockey colony this year and is off to an excellent start, ranked second behind veteran Stewart Elliott. McPeek won the 2004 Great State Challenge Distaff at Sam Houston Race Park with Take Charge Lady as well as victories in the Maxxam Gold Cup with Unstoppable U in 2013 and Blueridge Traveler in 2018.

Trainer Michael Maker has entered Ujayji, a 5-year-old mare by Smarty Jones for her breeder and owner T. L. Wise. The Pennsylvania-bred mare exits a third-place finish in the $100,000 Ladies Handicap at Aqueduct on Jan. 17. She brings a record of four wins, four seconds and four thirds from 19 starts with earnings of $293,090. She drew post position three under rider Rafael Manuel Hernandez at odds of 6-1.

Trainer Tom Amoss, who ran second in last year's edition of the race with Serengeti Empress, will send in Figure It Out, a 5-year-old Paynter mare owned by Joel Politi. She began her year with an impressive allowance score at Fair Grounds on Jan. 1 prior to running sixth in the $150,000 Pippin Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Saturday. He has given the call to Houston-based rider Lane Luzzi, who is currently tied for third in the standings. This will be the third time Amoss has shipped in for the Houston Ladies Classic. He ran fifth in the 2015 edition of the race with Kiss to Remember.

Trainer Scott Gelner will saddle Norman Racing Stables, LLC's Shes Our Fastest who drew post position six and will be ridden by Ry Eikleberry. The Texas-bred daughter of Oratory has won five stakes in Texas and Louisiana, including the 2019 Texas Rose Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park. The 6-year-old mare has earned $344,537 in her 29 lifetime starts.

Inaugurated in 2013, the Houston Ladies Classic was awarded its graded status by the American Graded Stakes Committee in 2016. It anchors the annual Houston Racing Festival, which also includes the Grade 3, $200,000 John B. Connally Turf Cup, the $200,000 Texas Turf, the $100,000 Pulse Power Turf Sprint, the $75,000 Jersey Lilly Turf Stakes and the $75,000 Stonerside Sprint.

The post Defending Lady Apple To Face Six Rivals In Houston Ladies Classic appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

The 2021 Thoroughbred Stakes schedule will offer $2.4 million in purses, up from $1.8 million in 2020. The Houston Racing Festival will take place on Sunday, Jan. 31, headlined by the Houston Ladies Classic (G3) and the John B. Connally Turf (G3). Inaugurated in 2013, the Houston Ladies Classic was formed to serve as the marquee racing event for Sam Houston's Thoroughbred meet. Now in its ninth running, the mile and one-sixteenth Houston Ladies Classic anchors the Houston Racing Festival, which also includes the Grade 3, $200,000 John B. Connally Turf Cup, the $100,000 Frontier Utilities Turf Sprint, the $75,000 Jersey Lilly Turf Stakes and $75,000 Stonerside Sprint. The $200,000 Texas Turf Mile for 3-year-olds was added last year and drew a highly competitive field of ten.

Opportunities for Texas-breds are plentiful in the upcoming meet. The 2021 Thoroughbred racing season will feature 14 Texas-bred stakes. Additionally, all seven stakes races on Texas Champions Day have been increased from $75,000 to $100,000.

Frank Hopf, Sam Houston Race Park's Senior Director of Racing Operations, explains that while the Houston Racing Festival continues to garner national attention, rewarding Texas Thoroughbreds is also a very important priority.

“We have worked closely with the Texas Thoroughbred Association and are pleased with the increases for our Texas-bred stakes in 2021,” said Hopf. “Heading into 2021, we want to build on the positive strides made prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and take a lead role in improving racing in Texas.”

The 2021 Thoroughbred season will conclude on April 3 with three new $75,000 stakes added to the racing program.

James Leatherman will serve as racing secretary for the Thoroughbred live racing season and 23-day Sam Houston Race Park Quarter Horse meet which will run from Friday, April 23 through Saturday, June 12. Stall applications for the upcoming Thoroughbred season are due by Wednesday, November 6. The Sam Houston Race Park barn area will open on Saturday, November 28 with training hours set to commence on Tuesday, December 1. The first condition book is available on equibase.com and further information about the season can be accessed at shrp.com.

2021 Sam Houston Race Park Thoroughbred Stakes Schedule

Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021 Texas Clarence Scharbauer, Jr. Texas Stallion Stakes Series

$75,000 My Dandy – 3yo – 5 ½ Furlongs

$75,000 Darby's Daughter – 3yo F – 5 ½ Furlongs

Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021 Houston Racing Festival – Over $1,000,000 in Purses

$300,000 Houston Ladies Classic (G3) – 4&up F&M – 1 1/16 Mile

$200,000 John B. Connally Turf (G3) – 4&up – 1 1/2 Mile (T)

$200,000 Texas Turf Mile- 3YO -1 Mile (T)

$100,000 Frontier Utilities Turf Sprint – 4&up – 5 Furlongs (T)

$75,000 Jersey Lilly Turf – 4&up F&M – 1 1/16 Mile (T)

$75,000 Stonerside Sprint – 4&up – 6 Furlongs

Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021 Clarence Scharbauer, Jr. Texas Stallion Stakes Series

$75,000 Jim's Orbit – 3yo – 6 Furlongs

$75,000 Two Altazano – 3yo F – 6 Furlongs

$75,000 H-Town – 4 YO & up 7 Furlongs

$75,000 Miss Bluebonnet Turf – 4&up F&M – 1 Mile (T)

$75,000 Houston Turf – 4&up – 1 1/16 Miles (T)

Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021 Texas Arabian Night

$30,000-added Texas Six Shooter (G3) – 4 &5 yo – 7 Furlongs

$30,000-added Yellow Rose (G3) – 4 &5 yo F&M – 7 Furlongs

$30,000-added Darley Sprint – 4 yo & up – 7 Furlongs

Friday, March 19, 2021 Darley Night

$30,000-added Darley Distaff – 4 yo & up F&M – 7 Furlongs

$30,000-added Darley Sprint – 4 yo & up – 7 Furlongs

Saturday, March 20, 2021 Texas Champions Day for Texas-breds

$100,000 Bara Lass Stakes – 3yo F – 6 Furlongs

$100,000 Groovy Stakes – 3yo – 6 furlongs

$100,000 Richard King – 4&up – 1 1/8 Mile (T)

$100,000 San Jacinto – 4&up F&M – 1 1/16 Mile (T)

$100,000 Spirit of Texas – 4&up – 6 Furlongs

$100,000 Yellow Rose Stakes – 4&up F&M – 6 furlongs

$100,000 Star of Texas – 4&up F&M – 1 Mile

Saturday, April 3, 2021 Houston Showcase Night

$75,000 Bucharest Stakes – 4 yo &up – 7 Furlongs

$75,000 Miss Houston Turf – 4&up – F&M One Mile (T)

$75,000 Bayou City Stakes – 3 yo – 1 1/16 Miles (T)

The post Sam Houston Race Park Releases Expanded Stakes Schedule For 2021 Season appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post