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FAVORED RACER FIRST ROYAL FEATURE WINS THE $48,300 SAM HOUSTON MAIDEN CLASSIC
AT
SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK
The Park Closed Out 2010 American Quarter Horse Meet With Three Stakes Races And
Over $100,000 In Total Purse Money
on Saturday, August 14, 2010
HOUSTON (August 15, 2010)—Sam Houston Race Park (www.shrp.com) hosted its final
evening of American Quarter Horse racing on Saturday, August 14th with a total
of seven live races highlighted by three stakes races totaling over $100,000 in
purse money.
The sixth race of the night, featuring the largest purse on the card, was the
highly anticipated $48,300 Sam Houston Maiden Classic presented by Spring
Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge. The 350-yard race showcased three, four and five year old
maidens as of July 6, 2010, who qualified and remained eligible.
Favored horse First Royal Feature ($6.80) broke sharp and took charge of the
race, setting the pace early on and finishing with a clear-cut win in :17.59.
The three-year-old brown gelding, trained by Dwayne “Sleepy” Gilbreath, was
guided to this repeat victory by jockey Gaspar Garcia, who was all smiles
entering the winner’s circle.
“This horse gives it all he’s got every time,” said Garcia. “He didn’t break too
well but he recovered quickly and had a good charge to the finish so I am really
happy tonight.”
The remainder of the nine-horse field finished: Drenalin in second, and a photo
finish revealed Zenato as the third place winner, followed by Mr Jess Kue,
Corona Confidential, Game Toole, Deflowered, Goose Bumps and Double Dealin N
Cash.
The fourth race of the night was the $26,025 Texas Paint Horse Breeders’
Association (TPHBA) Maturity (G3). Barney Ofield, a four-year-old Sorrel gelding
sired by Judys Lineage, claimed top honors beating out favored horse
Aintscaredaflyin with a lightening quick time of :17.70. Barney Ofield stumbled
as he broke from the gate but managed a steady drive among the other racers
crossing the wire by a neck ahead of Aintscaredaflyin and reaching a speed index
of 97. The horse is coming off what appears to be an unstoppable winning streak
with tonight’s victory marking three in a row. Barney Ofield, who paid out $5.40
to betting fans, is owned by Julie Haywood and Joni Willis, is trained by Eddie
Lee Willis and was ridden by veteran jockey Jimmy Dean Brooks.
The TPHBA Maturity is for paint horses ages 3-years and up racing a distance of
350 yards. Final placement for the field was: Barney Ofield, Ainscaredaflyin,
Judys Rocket To Cash, Takin On The Hero, I Do One Two Three, Allysa, Jubious
Illusion, Grand Diamonds, Action Figure, Speed Bandit and Zee Player.
The fifth race featured the $33,860 Colors of Houston Futurity (G2), with eight
horses sprinting a distance of 350 yards on the dirt track. Favored horse Rockin
To First was seeking her third consecutive win but was upset in a final charge
to the wire as the Bobby Touchet-trained filly Northernete, gained command and
grabbed the win with a final time of :17.86. The Texas-bred two-year old, who
topped out with a speed index of 93, is owned by Larry Sherwood and was ridden
by jockey David A. Alvarez.
Final placement was: Northernete ($8.20), followed by Dashin Mohawk, Moons
Image, Sharp Trouble, Country Marauder, Double Dashing Girl, Turbo Judy and
Rockin To First taking last place in the race.