 Sandra
Beck/Coady Photography
PLEASANTLY BLESSED BENEFITS
FROM A RAIL SAVING RIDE TO WIN
THE $50,000 JERSEY LILLY STAKES
Houston, TX - Feb. 4, 2012 - Pleasantly Blessed showed her class and
turf acumen tonight at Sam Houston Race Park, defeating a solid
field of ten fillies and mares in the $50,000 Jersey Lilly Stakes.
The 8-year-old daughter of Pleasant Tap, owned and trained by Steve
Asmussen, had made three previous starts at Sam Houston Race Park.
Each time, she finished second, including the 2008 and 2010 editions
of the Jersey Lilly Stakes. Tonight she stepped out of her
bridesmaid role and defied her age in a classy performance under
rider Roman Chapa.
Breaking from post position four, Chapa settled his mare in the
early stages of the race, capably saving ground as San Jacinto
Stakes winner Badness set the early fractions. He called on her as
they rounded the final turn of the mile and one-sixteenth turf
stakes, and she responded brilliantly, drawing off to a one-length
lead. Although up to two inches of rain fell in Houston on Friday
evening and Saturday morning, the turf course remained firm and she
completed the race in a final time of 1:44.01.
“I had a pretty good trip,” said Chapa, who won his 1,500th career
race here last Monday. “As Steve has often told me, the shortest way
around is on the rail. She did everything she was asked and I was
just the pilot. Steve knows what he’s got when he sends them over
here; we just had a wonderful trip.”
Asmussen did not make the trip to Houston; he was celebrating his
15th wedding anniversary with his wife, Julie, but was reached for
comment following the race,
“I am very proud of her,” said Asmussen. “She is a tough mare who
shows up and has done extremely well in her career.”
Last weekend, trainer Mike Maker found the grass greener at Sam
Houston Race Park when Papaw Bodie shipped in and captured the Grade
3, $200,000 Connally Turf Cup. Tonight it was the four-year-old
Artemus Kitten, a multiple stakes-placed runner who prepped for the
Jersey Lilly with a game allowance win at Fair Grounds. Bred and
owned by Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey, Artemus Kitten is a daughter of
the Eclipse Award Turf winner, Kitten’s Joy. Jermaine Bridgmohan
flew in from Fair Grounds to ride the 4-year-old filly.
“She ran great,” said Bridgmohan. “I just couldn’t get a clear path
for her.”
Always In My Heart, under 2011 Sam Houston leading rider, Lindey
Wade closed for third, followed by Miss Hockaday, Lookinforchange,
Tickleyourfancy, Badness, Patty’s Pride, Wanna Cuddle and Category
Seven. Vickies In Town was an early scratch.
Pleasantly Blessed was supported well from the betting public and
left the gates as the favorite, returning $5.60 for the win. The
dark bay mare earned $30,000, which boosted her career bankroll to
$409,586. Asmussen said that Pleasantly Blessed would remain at Sam
Houston and make her next start in the $50,000 Sam Houston Distaff
on February 25.
There will be no live racing on Sunday, February 5, but Sam Houston
Race Park will be open for simulcasting. The 2012 Thoroughbred meet
continues through Monday, March 12, with post times set for Friday
and Saturday (7 p.m.), Sunday (5 p.m.) and Monday (1:20 p.m.). The
meet will feature a variety of special events including Wiener Dog
Races on February 11, Ladies Night on February 25 and Camel &
Ostrich Races on March 10. The park will also host a 27-day Quarter
Horse Meet from March 22 – May 19.
Sam Houston Race Park is Houston’s premier racing and entertainment
facility, located just 15 minutes from downtown Houston, and offers
a variety of attractions including 19 luxury suites overlooking the
race track, The Pavilion Centre, and award-winning dining options at
the Winner’s Circle Restaurant and the Champion Energy Services
Jockey Club. Sam Houston Race Park Platinum Partners include Bud
Light and Champion Energy Services. For more information on upcoming
shows, events and tickets, please visit
www.shrp.com .
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