Kitty Kat Galore B Wins The Miss Houston Stakes
Ivan James Set the Fastest Time in Trials for the $191,000 Sam Houston Derby
KITTY KAT GALORE B IMPRESSIVE WINNER
OF THE $20,000 MISS HOUSTON STAKES
AT SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK
Ivan James Set the Fastest Time in Trials for the $191,000 Sam Houston Derby
The second stakes of the 2015 Sam Houston Race Park American Quarter Horse meet featured a well-matched group of eight accredited Texas-bred fillies and mares. It was the highest earner in the field, Kitty Kat Galore B who drew off to victory in the $20,000 Miss Houston Stakes.
Bred in Texas by Bielau Oaks, the daughter of Fdd Dynasty out of the Oak Tree Special mare Fast Prize Ginger was making her 12th career start this evening for owner Bryon Gardner. Trainer Judd Kearl saddled the 4-year-old mare and Rodrigo Vallejo guided her to the wire of the 330 yard feature in :16.644, earning a 101 speed index.
"She ran huge tonight," said Kearl. "She got away good; I thought she was beat early, but in the last 50 yards, went by horses like they were stopped. It took her a couple outs after we did surgery on her; she’s coming back now.”
Running second by a neck was Mary Lou Zoeller's My Glory Dash, trained by Butch Plunkett and ridden by "Jimmy" Guynes. Dee Dee Do Run Run was third, followed by Pool Diva.
Sent off as the post-time favorite, Kitty Kat Galore B paid $4.80 for the win, which was her third career score. Kearl said that his mare will make her next start in the Merial Texas Distaff Challenge here on April 30.
Ivan James Fastest Qualifier in Trials for the $191,000 Sam Houston Derby
The Friday evening card featured seven trials for the $191,000 Sam Houston Derby (G3) A strong tail wind of 17 mph created some fast times for the 350-yard trials.
The first trial featured the return of 2015 Sam Houston Race Park Horse of the Meet, Ivan James. The 3-year-old son of Ivory James was the fastest qualifier for the richest stakes of the Sam Houston Quarter Horse season, and won the final in convincing fashion for owner Jorge Meraz. He ran in trials for the Firecracker Futurity at Delta Downs, and then underwent surgery to remove a chip from his ankle.
Trainer Angel Sanchez saddled the bay colt, who closed gamely under rider Luis Vivanco to win his trial in :17.361.
"He ran a big race and Luis said he felt good," said Sanchez. "I was pleased with him as he has been of for 8 months. We’ll see how he looks tomorrow; he’s always been a nice horse."
His time held throughout the remaining six trials with Louisiana-bred Real Solid Oak, owned by Julio Cesar Rodriguez and Rogelio Garza Guajardo’s homebred TLC Dale stopping the clock in :17.374.
Click on this link to see the complete list of the ten fastest qualifiers. They will return for the final on Saturday, April 23, with $76,400 to the winner.
Special Post Time of 3:00 p.m. for Seventeen Trials for the Sam Houston Futurity on Saturday, April 2
There will be 17 trials for the $100,000-added Sam Houston Futurity (G2), on Saturday, April 2. As a result, Sam Houston Race Park has moved its evening. post time to 3:00 p.m. Of the 170 juveniles to compete in the 330 yard trials, only 14 have made an official start for the year. The ten fastest 2-year-olds will advance to the final on Saturday, April 23
Sam Houston Race Park is Houston’s premier racing and entertainment facility, located just 15 miles from downtown Houston, and offers a variety of attractions including our Suite Level presented by Draft Kings, The Pavilion Centre, and award-winning dining options at the Winner’s Circle Restaurant and the Jockey Club. For more information on upcoming group events, racing events, shows and tickets, please visit www.shrp.com.
