Tag: sam houston

Sam Houston: Extended Meet Produces 28 Percent Average Handle Increase

The Sam Houston Race Park closed the curtain on a highly successful Thoroughbred live racing season on Saturday, April 3. The 43-day meet, which began on Jan. 8, was one of the best since the northwest Houston racetrack opened in 1994.

A total of $12.6 million in purses were offered for the 2021 Thoroughbred racing season supplemented by House Bill 2463. Passed by the 86th Texas Legislature on September 1, 2019, the bill contributes $25 million annually to the Texas horse racing industry, split equally between Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse interests. Sam Houston Race Park set a very lucrative $2.4 million stakes schedule, up from $1.8 million in 2020.

The Houston Racing Festival on Sunday, Jan. 31 jumped off the pages with a record-setting handle of $5.3 million on the day. The premier day of the season is highlighted by the Grade 3, $300,000 Houston Ladies Classic, won by Letruska, who is pointed to the Grade 1 Apple Blossom at Oaklawn Park and victory by Spooky Channel in the Grade 3, $200,000 Connally Turf Cup. Horsemen and horseplayers responded in an unprecedented fashion, so much so, that purses were increased twice throughout the season.

The end result produced an all-sources handle of $96,440,736, an increase of 57 percent from $61,416,156 wagered over the 35-day meet in 2020 and $41,352,391 for the 2019 season encompassing 32 days.

Average daily handle over the 43 days of live racing was $2,242,808, a 28 percent increase over last year. A total of 424 races were run compared to 337 in 2020 with an average per race handle of $227,500 compared to $182,244 in 2020. Average field size for 2021 was 8.02.

In addition to longtime support from leading North American trainers Steve Asmussen and Karl Broberg, Sam Houston Race Park welcomed new horsemen including New Mexico-based Todd Fincher and west coast conditioners Frank Lucarelli and Jonathan Wong. Trainer J. R. Caldwell was one of many conditioners who began pointing their horses to Houston once it was announced that overnight purses would start at $225,00 per day.

“The 2021 thoroughbred season was a culmination of the blueprint we set into place in 2019,” said Sam Houston Race Park's Senior Director of Racing Operations Frank Hopf. “The success of the 2021 meet is a credit to the tremendous support SHRP received from the owners, trainers, horseplayers, hard-working staff and partners. We will build upon this meet and continue to improve moving forward.”

The leading owner, trainer and jockey awards were presented on the final day of the meeting. Steve Asmussen, won his 13th training title at the northwest Houston racetrack, furthering his respected legacy in Houston. He was honored as top trainer here in 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017,2018 2019 and 2020.

Asmussen started 310 runners, finishing with a record of 70 wins, 38 seconds, 50 thirds and earnings of $1,884,600. He won two stakes this season with 2018 Texas Thoroughbred Association (TTA) Horse of the Year Direct Dial taking both the $75,000 H-Town Stakes and the $100,000 Star of Texas.

The nationally prominent horseman, who tops the Equibase leader board in 2021 in both wins and earnings, has always shown his allegiance to Texas racing. Encouraged by the passage of House Bill 2463 by the Texas Legislature on Sept. 1, 2019, which was initiated to boost the state's racing and breeding industry, Asmussen wanted to strengthen his commitment to Texas racing this year.

“The Bill has improved the quality of Texas racing,” stated Asmussen. “To have purses generated by equine generated tax revenues is an excellent model. You can see our surrounding states that have depended on casino funded purses struggle. Look at the handle this year at Sam Houston! This program needs to be supported.”

In addition to the purse and stakes increases, Asmussen lauds the track surfaces in Houston.

“The racing surfaces are excellent and frankly, the main track does not get the credit it deserves,” he added.

Asmussen once again, thanked his longtime assistant, Pablo Ocampo, for overseeing the day-to-day operation in Houston.

“Pablo is the longest continuous employee for me and continues to do a wonderful job,” said Asmussen of Ocampo, who will head next to Lone Star Park.

J. R. Caldwell was second in the standings with 34 victories, including back-to-back stakes victories by Sky Ride. Trainer Austin Gustafson had his best showing this year, winning 29 races and Karl Broberg rounded out the top four conditioners with 22 winners.

This was the seventh leading owner title for Asmussen, who began his streak here in 2005. His runners won 18 races this meet. End Zone Athletics, Inc. continues to be a strong supporter of the Sam Houston meet, finished second with 10 victories. Michael J. and Linda Mazoch finished third with eight wins. Four owners tied for fourth in the standings: Washington based owners Chad and Josh; Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC; Empire Racing Stables LLC and Keene Thoroughbreds LLC.

Jockey Stewart Elliott picked up his first leading rider title at Sam Houston Race Park in pretty much gate-to-wire fashion. The nationally respected veteran rode first call for Asmussen this meet, riding 62 winners from 271 mounts, earning $1,597,545 and finishing in the money at a lofty 55 percent. The successful union between Elliott and Asmussen began in Houston one year ago and continued at Lone Star Park and Remington Park.

“Stewart brings professionalism and consistency in every race he rides,” stated Asmussen.

In turn, Elliott shared his gratitude to the Hall of Fame conditioner.

“I especially have to thank Steve who kept me loaded up pretty good throughout the meet,” he said.

In accepting his leading rider award, Elliott also acknowledged the support of his wife, Lilibeth and son Christopher, as well as his agent, Scott Hare.

Versatile on turf and dirt, Elliott guided Texas-bred Direct Dial to his two stakes wins this season calling the W.S. Farish homebred “a really cool horse”.

Elliott, 55, will head to Lone Star Park for their 2021 Thoroughbred meet. He began riding in 1981 and has a remarkable 5,133 career wins, including the victory aboard 2004 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Smarty Jones. Retirement talk will have to wait for now, as Elliott is truly enjoying this stage of his exceptional career.

“It's been great,” he acknowledged. “I'm looking forward to Lone Star and hope to keep things going.”

Ry Eikleberry was a new addition to the Sam Houston jockey colony this year and made an impressive debut, winning 42 races to finish second in the standings. Leandro Goncalves also had an excellent meet, with 41 victories, including his 2,000th career race on March 27. Lane Luzzi continues to be one of the up and coming riders in the region. The son of New York veteran jockey Mike Luzzi made 35 trips to the winner's circle to finish fourth this year.

Sam Houston Race Park will host its annual Quarter Horse meet beginning Friday, April 23. The 23-day season will continue through Saturday, June 12. A complete list of the 2021 Quarter Horse schedule, including trial dates, is available on shrp.com.

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Breeders’ Cup Presents Connections: ‘Biggest Part’ Of His Father’s Legacy Lives On In DeShawn Parker

Perhaps the greatest legacy a man can leave behind is found in the hearts of the people whose lives he touched along the way.

Since his father's passing on March 5 of this year, jockey DeShawn Parker has found himself humbled by the number of people reaching out to tell him stories about Daryl Parker going out of his way to be kind to them.

“Dad loved everybody; there's not one person he came across he didn't try to help,” said DeShawn, 50. “So many people came up to me just to tell me how nice he was. That was the biggest part of him.”

Daryl Parker, the first African-American hired in the U.S. to be a steward in 1986, spent his career adjudicating racing at smaller tracks near the family home Ohio. His reputation was that he was extremely fair in the booth, and always found ways to help people outside his official role.

“You always felt like you should thank him for giving you days, almost,” said DeShawn. “Even when you definitely deserved days, he'd say, 'Well, do this next time, and that'll make it a little better.'”

The sentiments surrounding DeShawn's father echo those in a recent video produced by Sam Houston Race Park announcer Chris Griffin. DeShawn wintered at the track for several years, earning leading rider honors in 2019, and the video depicts members of the local jockey colony congratulating him for being voted the winner of the 2021 George Woolf Memorial Award. 

One of the most prestigious awards in all of racing and named for the legendary late Hall of Fame jockey, the Woolf Award recognizes those riders whose careers and personal character garner esteem for the individual and the sport of Thoroughbred racing. The winner is selected via a nationwide vote by other jockeys.

“He's been incredible to ride against, and he's a great person, too,” jockey Sophie Doyle said in the video from Sam Houston. “He's always helpful and friendly at every racetrack I've ever ridden against him.”

“He's a great ambassador for the sport, a jockey we all look up to,” said Lane Luzzi.

“Not only is he a phenomenal rider, consistently doing it every year, but just being a great person,” added Reylu Gutierrez. “Congratulations DeShawn, you are an amazing rider and an amazing person, and I really look up to you.”

This apple obviously didn't fall far from the tree. Daryl didn't choose to impart his wisdom to his son through his words, however. He showed DeShawn what it meant to be a good man by his actions, inspiring his son to live up to that example.

Father and son grew up around the racetrack, their passions for the animal and the competition fostering an especially close relationship. Though Daryl Parker had to leave the steward's role for races in which DeShawn rode, he was fully supportive of his son entering the sport they both loved.

“They said it was a conflict of interest, but honestly, sometimes my dad was harder on me than anybody else,” DeShawn said, laughing. “He never got on me too bad about anything because I never tried to ride careless, but he wouldn't sugarcoat things. He'd say, 'You definitely deserved to get days for that.'”

Billy Johnson with Deshawn Parker

Since his father was based in Ohio, DeShawn ventured across the state border to Mountaineer Park in West Virginia, where he became the perennial leading rider for more than 20 years. While there, DeShawn worked with the late agent Billy Johnson, who helped him become the No. 1 rider in the country by wins in 2010 and '11.

“Everybody liked Billy, he's just one of those guys,” Parker said. “Never a bad word about him. Even if he spun the trainers, he would smooth it out so they weren't upset with him. He tried hard for everybody.”

They won a title together at Sam Houston in 2015, but with race days and purses declining in West Virginia, Parker made the decision to transfer his home track to Indiana Grand during the summer months. That meant a switch in agent to a mutual friend, Jimmy McNerney, for the 2017 season in Indiana.

DeShawn finished second in the standings in 2017 and 2018, fourth in 2019 despite missing time due to an injury, and finally won the title at Indiana Grand in 2020. 

“This is the best thing of the meet and of my year,” DeShawn told track publicity after the title was official. “I had some chances the past couple of years to win [the title], but I got hurt and it just didn't work out. My agent, Jimmy, always does a good job but he did an exceptional job this year for me, and I was able to stay healthy. I can't put into words what this means. This means so much to me.”

Unfortunately, 2020 was also the year that Daryl Parker spent battling a cancer diagnosis. He missed nearly the entire year of racing, and DeShawn could see how much that wore on his father.

“He loved his job, being on the track, and in fact he turned down some treatments in Cincinnati so he could go back to work,” DeShawn said. “I think he was already kind of getting depressed, sitting there doing nothing all day.”

Though Daryl had been pronounced cancer-free and returned to the stewards' booth for three weeks, the disease returned with a vengeance in December.

“It came on so quick, and he was one of those guys who was never really sick,” DeShawn said. “We knew the cancer could come back at any time, but it really hit him hard.”

Drryl was hospitalized from mid-December until his passing on March 5, and initially COVID-19 restrictions meant no family members were able to visit with him. By February, they'd moved to a different hospital and one person at a time was allowed in.

“I went every day that I was home, and we just sat there and talked,” DeShawn said. “I'm glad he got to go back to work; I don't think he would have had it any other way. They'd call him sometimes, the other stewards, like for advice on something, and you could just tell he wanted to be there.”

As the start of the 2021 season approaches at Indiana Grand, DeShawn feels like the best way to honor his father's memory is to continue working every single day at embodying the characteristics the man stood for. Compassion and kindness above all else, even when it's hard — that's Daryl Parker.

It isn't an easy thing to ask of a jockey. Every day, multiple times a day, your coworkers are trying to finish ahead of you out on the track. Add to that pressure the inherent danger of race-riding, and the jockey's quarters can easily become a pressure cooker of negative emotions.

“We all have to put that smile on our face every day, even when you get trainers complaining and maybe you don't want to say 'Thank you' and walk away,” DeShawn said. “On the track, when you get mad, you have to leave it out there because if you keep on being mad you're just going to make yourself look bad. We're all trying hard, doing the same job.”

It's that sportsmanship and positive attitude, maintained over a career of 5,846 wins to date, which earned DeShawn the Woolf Award. If he gets a bit emotional when he sees that award sitting on his shelf, it's easy to understand why. His father's inspiration and ever-present influence are what helped DeShawn to become the man worthy of such an honor.

“Our goal was to one day be stewards together at a track,” DeShawn revealed. “We may not get to do that, but I know he's riding with me now, so I just look at it that way. He's getting to do something he never got to do before, and I get to have him with me in the saddle.”

DeShawn Parker, winner of the 2021 George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award

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Houston Showcase Night: Trio Of Stakes Races Close Out Thoroughbred Season

Sam Houston Race Park will close out its 2021 Thoroughbred racing season on Saturday, April 3 with three stakes and the presentation of the end of the meet awards to the leading owner, trainer and jockey. The newly formed Houston Showcase Night is a trio of stakes: two on the Connally Turf Course and a seven furlong test on the main track.

Saturday's card gets underway at 6:45 pm (Central).

A compact but potent field will compete in the $75,000 Bucharest Stakes, which will run as the fourth race of the card. Two rivals from the $75,000 Stonerside Sprint, which took place on January 31, will meet again, this time at the distance of seven furlongs.

Sky Ride, a Kentucky-bred son of Candy Ride, closed powerfully to dead-heat with Hollis in the Stonerside. The 4-year-old gelding, trained by J.R. Caldwell for owner Triple V Racing LLC, was ridden by Leandro Goncalves, who notched his 2,000th career win here last Saturday night. The finish was memorable for the winners and the Houston Racing Festival fans.

Caldwell has no issue with the added distance for Sky Ride, and will also test the waters with Good Scout, who has won his last two starts at Sam Houston Race Park for Farmer Fillies Racing.

“Sky Ride is a closing sprinter and should be within striking distance at seven furlongs” said Caldwell. “Nitrous is the horse we fear the most, but fans better watch out for Good Scout.”

Nitrous, a 5-year-old son of Tapit, owned by Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC and Stonestreet Stables LLC finished second behind Sky Ride and Hollis in the Stonerside. Stewart Elliott has the return call aboard the stakes winner for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen. The gray, who has earned $555,716 in 19 starts, will break from post position five. Asmussen also trains Mike McCarty's Gold Street, a 4-year-old colt by Street Boss, who ships in from Oaklawn Park and will be ridden by Reylu Gutierrez.

“He's a Winchell homebred and seven-eighths of a mile suits him,” said Asmussen of Nitrous. “I look forward to running Gold Street as well. He had success at the stakes level at Oaklawn.”

Dr Boehrer, owned and trained by Clifford Dodson, returns off a third-place finish in the $100,000 Spirit of Texas and Trumps Revenge, who completed the trifecta in the $100,000 Star of Texas for Ken Pullen and Christie Love, will also run Saturday night.

The stakes is named in honor of the late Thoroughbred sprinter Bucharest, owned by Israel Flores and trained by Amos Laborde, who set three track records at Sam Houston Race Park, including the lightning fast six furlong time of 1:08.88 on May 11, 1994, as well as his 1:12.29 seven furlong clocking on May 4, 1996.

The popularity of the Connally Turf Course at Sam Houston Race Park has grown in unprecedented fashion this season, so it's no surprise that the interest in the $75,000 Miss Houston Turf was very strong. Twelve fillies and mares, and two also eligibles, will compete at the distance on one mile in what appears to be a wide-open contest.

Raven's Cry (IRE) will be a force if she draws in from the also eligible list. The 4-year-old daughter of Raven's Pass has won three of her eight turf starts for owner Martin S. Schwartz. She's trained by Eclipse Award winning condition Brad Cox and will be ridden by Diego Saenz.

Asmussen will test the turf prowess of Palio Flag, a 4-year-old Curlin filly owned by Stonestreet Stables LLC. She will be making both her turf and Sam Houston Race Park debut after allowance victories at Churchill Downs and most recently, Oaklawn Park. Stewart Elliot will ride the chestnut filly with Ty Kennedy guiding Asmussen's other entrant, Miss Perfecta. She ran second in the $75,000 Miss Bluebonnet Turf here on February 27 for owners Tyree J. Wolesnesky and Jose Silva, Jr.

“Palio Flag is a quality filly,” stated Asmussen. “With Curlin in her pedigree, I expect her to take to the turf. Miss Perfecta is an accomplished turf mare (with five wins from eight starts on the grass).”

Love Partnership Interests LP's Valentines Day, at 21-1, was third in the $75,000 Jersey Lilly on January 31 for trainer Bret Calhoun. He feels that the 4-year-old daughter of Summer Front, will take a step forward on Saturday night. Lindey Wade will guide her from post eight.

“This filly has been one of those gradual improving types,” said Calhoun. “We always thought she wanted to go longer. Lindey has been her regular rider and will try to get her to settle and make a late run. This is a solid group of fillies and it's nice to see the full fields and interest in Sam Houston this year.”

Another experienced turf mare is Curlin's Journey who returns to action for trainer Dallas Keen with jockey Sophie Doyle in the saddle.

Quick Quick Quick looks to be strong contender in the Miss Houston Turf for trainer J.R. Caldwell and rider Leandro Goncalves.

“She was stakes-placed at Remington Park and we got her to settle this meet at Sam Houston,” commented Caldwell. “She tries hard every time and has tactical speed. A mile and one-sixteenth might be a little out of her range, but I think she will have success going a mile.”

Caldwell, whose runners are in the money here at a lofty 57% clip, wanted to convey a compliment regarding the 2021 Sam Houston Race Park meet.

“I want to thank the Sam Houston management and the Texas Thoroughbred Association for their efforts this year,” said Caldwell. “Owners have come out of the woodwork for me, wanting to run here. We will go to Lone Star Park and then Remington Park, but we are already pointing for next year at Sam Houston!”

The $75,000 Bayou City Stakes for 3-year-olds will also be contested on the final night of the Sam Houston Race Park live racing season. Eight are entered in the mile and one-sixteenth turf feature, which will run as the eighth race on the card.

Drivehappy has been an impressive winner in both of his starts this season at Sam Houston Race Park, breaking his maiden on January 28 and drawing off by four lengths in an allowance win one month later. Owned by Holly and David Wilson, Siena Farm LLC, Gary Stevens and Asmussenequine.com, the son of Breeders' Cup Sprint champion Runhappy is trained by Steve Asmussen.

“He won his last two-turn race and I felt this was a good opportunity to step into the stakes ranks against 3-year-olds,” said Asmussen. “(Former top jockey and racing analyst) Gary Stevens and the Wilsons have brought many new owners to partnerships and that is great for our sport.”

Drivehappy's main rival looks to be Royal Prince, who exits a victory in the $75,000 Black Gold Stakes at Fair Grounds on February 27. Owned by Steve Landers, LLC, the 4-year-old colt by Cairo Prince has won two of his five starts for trainer Brad Cox. Top Louisiana-based jockey Diego Saenz has the call and will break from the rail post as the 2-1 morning line favorite.

Scotty Caroom's Holy Vow brings a two-race turf win streak into the Bayou City. The Kentucky-bred son of Private Vow is trained by Scott Young with Sophie Doyle back aboard. I'm Money, who ran third to Drivehappy last month, is also entered. The son of Bayern is owned and trained by Travis Short.

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Texas Champions Day: Seven Texas-Bred Stakes Featured Saturday At Sam Houston

Sam Houston Race Park will present seven stakes on Saturday, March 20 saluting accredited Texas-breds. Since 1994, Texas Champions Day, with features on both the main track and Connally Turf Course, has served as a tribute to the breeders, owners and Thoroughbreds in the Lone Star state.

Purses for the seven features have been increased to $100,000 this year and competitive fields have been drawn for each of the Texas Champions Day stakes. The 11-race card will get underway at 5:45 pm (CT) with an excellent weather forecast of sunshine and highs in the low 70's.

A field of eight colts and geldings will kick off the stakes action in the six furlong $100,000 Spirit of Texas Stakes.

Good Judgment, the runner-up in the $75,000 Jim's Orbit one year ago at Sam Houston Race Park appears to be rounding into his best form as a 4-year-old. The son of Too Much Bling was bred by Larry S. Huntsinger, out of the Global Mission mare Libbies Mission, returns to the stakes level after two wins this season for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen.

Owned by Michael P. Lyons, Clark O. Brewster and Montgomery Lair, Good Judgment has won five races to date and has been installed as the 2-1 morning-line favorite. Leading rider Stewart Elliott will guide the colt from post position four.

Trainer Bret Calhoun has two entrants in the Spirit of Texas: Gold Pilot and He's a Suitor. Gold Pilot, a son of My Golden Song is owned by Wayne Sanders and Larry Hirsch and was the winner of the 2020 Jim's Orbit.

Both he and Collinsworth Thoroughbred Racing LLC's He's a Suitor competed in last month's $75,000 H-Town Stakes, finishing fourth and fifth.

“Gold Pilot has worked well in the mornings, so it's a little frustrating to see how he's doing this year,” said Calhoun. “We'll run him with blinkers, which might help him focus. He's a Suitor might be more of a closing type. Just hoping for a good race from both.”

Layem Down Racing II's homebred Gunnerscelesticman ran second to Direct Dial in the $75,000 H-Town and merits consideration. Ernesto Valdez-Jiminez will ride the 5-year-old for trainer Teofilo Garcia, Jr.

The Spirit of Texas is carded as the fourth race of the evening with an approximate post time of 7:25 pm (CT) and will be followed by the next six features.

Direct Dial Leads the Field in the $100,000 Star of Texas

In recent years, it would be difficult to find a Texas-bred with a better stakes record than William S. Farish's homebred, Direct Dial. The 6-year-old son of Too Much Bling out of the Mineshaft mare Fast Find has been prominent in Texas with victories here in the 2018 Jim's Orbit, 2019 Spirit of Texas and most recently, a standout victory in last month's $75,000 H-Town Stakes. The 2018 Texas Thoroughbred Association (TTA) Horse of the Year dominated his six rivals in the seven furlong main track feature under the meet's leading rider, Stewart Elliott.

Conditioned by Asmussen, Direct Dial, who was honored as 2018 Texas Thoroughbred Association (TTA) Horse of the Year, will take on six rivals in the one mile $100,000 Star of Texas.

Elliott has the return call aboard Direct Dial, who drew post position two as the 4-5 morning line choice.

“He's just a cool horse,” said Elliott following the win in the H-Town on February 20. “I was confident the entire way and he made me feel that he was ready to go when I asked him.”

Direct Dial has won nine of his 26 career efforts with earnings of $430,237.

His rivals include Michael Grossman's Kenai Bob who exits a third-place finish in last month's $75,000 Houston Turf for trainer Francisco Bravo. The 5-year-old son of Shackleford rallied for the victory in a one-mile allowance on the main track here on January 30. Regular rider Ry Eikleberry will ride the bay gelding who posted a four furlong bullet work on March 21. Another notable runner is Blackhorse Farm LLC's Algebra, who finished third in the H-Town for trainer Danny Pish and jockey Lane Luzzi.

Competitive Group of Colts and Geldings Assembled for the $100,000 Groovy Stakes

The $100,000 Groovy Stakes features a field of nine colts and geldings squaring off at the distance of six furlongs.

Trainer Frank Lucarelli sent a string to Sam Houston Race Park this year and has been very pleased with the racing opportunities in Texas. His owners Chad and Josh, who reside in Washington, claimed Bobby Brinkley for $62,500 here on opening weekend. The son of Shanghai Bobby out of the City Zip mare Brinkley was bred by Douglas Scharbauer and made five starts in 2020 for trainer Bret Calhoun.

“He is really well-bred,” explained Lucarelli. “We wanted to claim some Texas-breds as my owners and I were looking to test the waters here and then at Lone Star Park.”

Reylu Gutierrez will ride the 2-1 favorite from the far outside post. He was aboard on February 26 when the dark bay gelding ran second in a mile main track allowance optional claiming prep.

“I think this is a wide-open race and like his draw and the fact that he is coming off a good effort at one mile,” added Lucarelli. “Rey is a very good rider; my owners and I are excited about this race.”

Calhoun will send out the winner and runner-up in last month's $75,000 Jim's Orbit. It was the first stakes victory for Stone Cafe, a of Stonesider, bred and owned by Scharbauer. Jockey Lindey Wade has the return call and will try to hold off the late charge of stablemate Dust Em with Ry Eikleberry once again on Saturday night. W.S. Farish's homebred Island Sun, who completed the trifecta in the Jim's Orbit, returns in his fifth stakes appearance for Asmussen and rider Stewart Elliott.

Compelling Turf Rivalry Continues in the $100,000 Richard King

A contentious field of nine turf specialists will compete in the $100,000 Richard King Stakes for 4-year-olds and upward at a mile and one-eighth on the Connally Turf Course.

On February 20, the $75,000 Houston Turf Stakes was expected to be another showdown between Redatory and morning line favorite Sunlit Song. However, the victory went to Moojab Jr owned by John L. Pierce, who had previously tested the waters against the two favorites before running a huge race for jockey Iram Diego and trainer Paul Duhon.

All three return on Saturday night with several other worthy turf runners to make the Richard King one of the most anticipated features on the Texas Champions Day card.

Sunlit Song, owned by Carolyn R. Barnett and Becky Harding, will break from post position five as the 6-5 morning-line favorite. Barnett bred the 6-year-old gelding by My Golden Song, who showed his affinity for the turf last season in Oklahoma, winning the Remington Park Green at odds of 13-1. He has finished in the top three in each of his last nine starts. Lindey Wade has the return call for trainer Mindy Willis. She reflected on his runner-up effort in the Houston Turf Stakes three weeks ago.

“You can't win them all,” stated Willis. “He came out of that race in great shape and his mind is on the game. All I can say is that whoever beats him will have to be really good!”

Trainer Paul Duhon will saddle Moojab Jr for owner John Pierce with Iram Diego looking to make another brilliant closing kick. Duhon credited the turf excellence of Redatory and Sunlit Song in his post-race interview after the 7-year-old won the Houston Turf.

“These are two great horses that we traded punches with, and we always got the worst of it,” said Duhon. “I just believed that if he got the right trip, we could turn things around.”

Redatory, owned and bred by James Wessel, is the defending champion in the Richard King. The 2020 Texas
Thoroughbred Association (TTA) Horse of the Year is trained by retired jockey Allen Dupuy and will be ridden by Rey Gutierrez.

Singapore Flash, a 5-year-old son of Shanghai Bobby, was impressive here on March 4 in a one-mile turf allowance. Owned by DARRS, Inc. and trained by Michael Stidham, the 5-year-old gelding will be ridden by Ry Eikleberry in his 11th turf start.

Happy Sailor Faces Seven Fillies in the $100,000 Bara Lass Stakes

A field of eight accredited Texas-bred fillies will compete at the distance of six furlongs in the $100,000 Bara Lass. Diamond W Racing Stable's Happy Sailor will make her stakes debut off back to back sprint victories this season at Sam Houston Race Park.

The daughter of Midshipman out of the El Corredor mare Forest Path was bred by Larry S. Huntsinger. Karen Jacks trains the bay filly, who will make her sixth career start as the 2-1 choice.

“We gave her some time off after Lone Star and she has run very well this year,” said Jacks, who will give a leg up to rider Iram Diego. “She's a really smart, mature filly and nothing seems to bother her.”

Wink Texas owned by Racing to the Cross LLC, has finished second to super star filly Star of the North, who won two stakes this season at Sam Houston Race Park, but was not eligible for the Bara Lass. Trainer Jason Meaux and rider Lindey Wade will reunite with the daughter of Too Much Bling. Douglas Scharbauer's homebred Mostly Distorted will also make her stakes debut under rider Ry Eikleberry.

Ima Discreet Lady Returns in the $100,000 San Jacinto Stakes

The second turf feature of the evening is the $100,000 San Jacinto Stakes for fillies and mares. It will be contested on the Connally Turf Course at the distance of a mile and one-sixteenth.

Ima Discreet Lady, who was very impressive in last month's $75,000 Miss Bluebonnet Turf Stakes, will take on seven rivals. Owned by Raymond Todd White and Duane Coker, the 5-year-old daughter of Discreet Cat out of the Too Much Bling mare Ima Three Bling has won eight of her 23 career starts. Versatile on both dirt and turf, she completed her 2020 campaign last September at Remington Park. Trainer Karl Broberg was hoping to get a prep for her earlier this meet, but the talented mare captured the Miss Bluebonnet in front-running fashion under Ry Eikleberry. He will ride the bay mare from post position four on Saturday, should she return to the turf.

“I'll flip a quarter” said trainer Karl Broberg of his final decision to run Ima Discreet Lady in the San Jacinto or the six-furlong Yellow Rose Stakes on the main track.

Miss Perfecta finished second to Ima Discreet Lady, returns and is now in the barn of Steve Asmussen. His first-call rider Stewart Elliott will pilot the 5-year-old mare by Run Away and Hide from the far outside post. The fast closing No Mas Tequila and rider Leandro Goncalves, who ran third in the Bluebonnet, will also return as will Corluna.

Shes Our Fastest Returns in the $100,000 Yellow Rose Stakes

The Texas Champions Day stakes action will conclude with the six furlong $100,000 Yellow Rose Stakes.

Shes Our Fastest owned by Mark Norman and Norman Stables LLC. will make her fifth start at Sam Houston Race Park for trainer Scott Gelner. The 6-year-old daughter of Oratory has won five stakes in Texas and Louisiana, including the 2019 Texas Rose Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park. She tested the waters in this year's Grade 3 Houston Ladies Classic and tops the field in earnings with $349,577 in her 31 lifetime starts.

“Six furlongs is her best distance,” said Gelner. “We took a shot in the Ladies Classic and faced really tough fillies. She has stayed at Sam Houston all season; looking forward to running on Saturday.”

2019 Bara Lass winner Ima Discreet Lady is a notable contender should trainer Karl Broberg opt for the main track. In addition, De Luca and Sons Stable's Boerne ships in for trainer Robertino Diodoro. The 4-year-old filly by Fed Biz will make her Sam Houston Race Park debut under rider Ty Kennedy. Gee She Sparkles who competed in the Miss Bluebonnet on the turf, returns to the main track for Danny Pish. The 4-year-old filly will be ridden by Danny Sorenson.

The post Texas Champions Day: Seven Texas-Bred Stakes Featured Saturday At Sam Houston appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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