FRONT-RUNNING DOC MCCROCKLIN WINS THE $435,910 TQHA SALE FUTURITY (RG2) AT SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK

HOUSTON, TX -It has been ten years since the $435,910 TQHA Sale Futurity took place at Sam Houston Race Park.  on Friday, July 9. Due to a change in the racing calendar, the championship for 2-year-olds who had passed through the annual TQHA Yearling Sale took place at Retama Park. But as a result of damage to the San Antonio racetrack from the February winter storm, the championship returned to Houston and fans were able to see a quality field and effortless performance by Doc McCrocklin.

Breaking from the rail, Doc McCrocklin took the lead and was able to hold off a strong effort from fastest qualifier Hock It To You for the victory.

Jockey J.R. Ramirez rode Doc McCrocklin to his third consecutive win while completing the 350 yards in :17.775 seconds, a 94 speed index into a 3 mph headwind. 

"I had not ridden him but saw from his record that he looked like a pretty nice horse," Ramirez said after the race. "In the paddock, the owner told me he could get a little anxious in the starting gate. So when the #5 was scratched and he was reloaded into the gates the second time, he was much calmer."

Doc McCrocklin, who entered the final with the third fastest qualifying time from the July 9th trials, races owner Crown Horse Racing LLC and trainer Roberto Madrigal. Bullard Farms bred the $12,500 TQHA Yearling Sale graduate in Texas from the stakes winning Jet Cartel mare Pink Cartel. Doc McCrocklin's half-brother, Ten Cent, won the $53,500 TQHA 550 Stakes on Friday night at Sam Houston Race Park.

Runner-up Hock It To You, who was also second in the Grade 2 Sam Houston Futurity and Grade 2 Oklahoma Futurity this year, earned $95,900 for his effort tonight. Champion jockey Ricky Ramirez rode the Kiss My Hocks gelding for trainer Juan Diaz, Jr. and owners Heavy Hitters Racing Stables and Reynold Munoz.Tyler Graham and Conda Maze bred the $35,000 TQHA Yearling Sale graduate from the One Famous Eagle mare Lil Famous Dash. He has won three of six starts and earned $389,262.

Trainer John Stinebaugh sent out third-place finisher Jess The Leader for owner-breeder Pete Scarmardo. The $44,000 TQHA Yearling Sale repurchase earned $49,950 for tonight's effort. 

Cali Chrome, Ivory Royale, Revenant Dynasty, Fire In Her Eyez and Hockabilly completed the field. Lethal Fast Cash was a gate scratch and Special Lil Cricket was scratched.

The $193,980 winners' purse boosted the son of multiple stake sire Dash Master Jess' earnings mark to $220,410.

Doc McCrocklin, sent off at 7-1, rewarded his supporters with a win payout of $17.60.  He has now won four of his five career starts and with his winner’s share of $193,980 for the TQHA Sale Futurity, his earnings stand at $220,410. 

 The grey gelding joins exceptional group of past TQHA Sale Futurity champions including Oak Tree Special, Azoom, Snowy Alibi and Triple Vodka.

Da Devil Made Medoit Turns the Tables on Tee Britt in the $207,950 Retama Park Derby 

Da Devil Made Medoit was the second-fastest qualifier to Tee Britt three weeks ago, but reversed the outcome in the final of the $207,950 Retama Park Derby on Saturday night at Sam Houston.

Breaking from post nine under jockey Jerry Lee Yoakum, Da Devil Made Medoit ($6.00), surged late to edge Tee Britt, crossing the wire of the 400-yard final in 19.875 as he earned a 107 speed index.

The son of Fdd Going Grand is owned by Geri Partnership and is trained by Lewis “Tooter” Jordan. Mercy Hinklin’s Horse Farm LLC bred the gelding in Texas, out of the Tres Seis mare Tres Seis Mischief.

“He got a little sore in the shins last year, so we gave him some time off after Lone Star," said Jordan. "He matured nicely as a 3-year-old; may not be the quickest out of the gate, but comes running at the end."

Tee Britt and Claudio Aguilar led early and were caught late by the winner but nosed out Ap a Special Takeoff to finish second. Cody McDaniel trains the son of Tee Cos for owner Ground Shakers Race Team, LLP.

“She was the first one to congratulate me,” added Jordan.

But the longtime Texas horseman had a huge gathering of supporters joining him on track for the presentation as Geri Partnership is a group of friends who named the Texas-bred to honor the memory of Jordan’s wife, Geri.

Da Devil Made Medoit has four wins in nine career starts, including a pair of allowance wins at Sam Houston, and has only finished out of the exacta once. He earned $83,180 in the Retama Derby win to push his career earnings to $135,448.

Tee Britt picked up $35,352 in the runner-up effort, making him three for 11 lifetime with $92,967 in earnings.

Third place finisher Ap a Special Takeoff won the second trial as the sixth fastest qualifier. Victor Urieta rode the gelding in the trial and returned for the final for trainer Alonso Neri and owner Red Sea Racing Stables LLC. Abigail Kawananakoa bred the Favorite Cartel gelding in California, out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Jet Takeoff.

Completing the field were Big Eagle Gone, Jess On the Run, One Slick Delight, Cartel Ought to Go, My Apollitical Stone, Paint Me a Stone and Dashing Coronado.

Jordan indicated that Da Devil Made Medoit will be pointed to the Dash for Cash Derby at Lone Star Park.

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, 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.

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Photos:  Coady Photography