Love Ta Zoom, Shake Em Rocks and Louisiana Seis Capture Stakes Friday, May 17 at Sam Houston Race Park
HOUSTON, TX – Three stakes were contested at Sam Houston Race Park on Friday, May 17 with exciting finishes and celebrations from each of the proud connections.
Love Ta Zoom Scores in the $15,000 Governors' Cup Marathon
A field of six distance specialists opened the Friday night card at Sam Houston Race Park in the $15,000 Governors' Cup Marathon.
Love Ta Zoom is trained by Kie Mushinski for owner and breeder Sue Fikes. He was bred in Texas by Azoom out of the Royal Shake Em mare Loves Easter Bunny
Ricardo Garza-Cruz picked up his 11th win of the meet as he guided the 5-year-old gelding to the victory in the 870-yard event. The final time was :48.048 for a 71 speed index.
"I was told not to worry about the outside post," said Garza-Cruz. "He just came out running. I like this horse; ever since I rode him against Stolis Pro, I knew he was a fast horse!"
"He's just been unlucky with some of his races, always drawing outside," said Mushinski. "He was in good form this year, and was able to win from the six hole. There are a couple of 870 races at Retama Park, so that's where we'll run next."
Mountain Dew ran second, ridden by the current leading jockey of the Sam Houston meet, Francisco Calderon. The front-running pair finished four lengths ahead of third-place finisher Snowbound Cowboy.
Love Ta Zoom ($7.40) will be pointed to stakes at Retama Park. Completing the field were Jack Ketel, No Habits Here and Toast Me Gone.
Shake Em Rocks Triumphs in the $15,000 Texas Twister
The $15,000 Texas Twister, at 110 yards, returned for its eleventh renewal at Sam Houston Race Park. A field of ten went to the gate and a very sharp effort from Shake Em Rocks snared the victory.
However, the star of the super sprint was jockey, Joseph Gordon, Jr. who retumed to the saddle for the first time in 18 years. Gordon had previously worked as a jockey as well as a trainer and an assistant starter.
"It's an awesome feeling," said Gordon. "Since I retired, I've been an assistant trainer, worked the gate, but getting my license and working horses has been amazing. I knew I couldn't lose tonight because she is such a nice filly and I had so many people here supporting me."
Final time for the 110-yard stake was :7.220 seconds; the winner earned a 75 speed index.
Owners Betty and Bob Moore bred the filly in Texas, by Rock Solid Jess and out of the Royal Shake Em mare Shake Em Fever.
The Moores also owned and bred Shake Em Fever, a multiple graded stakes winner whose career accomplishments included victories in the 2004 TQHA Sires Cup Futurity (G2), 2006 Barnmaster Spring Stakes (G3) and the 2007 Texas Distaff Challenge (G3), all at Sam Houston.
Roger “Bubba” Moore trains the 4-year-old filly. "She ran third here last year," said Moore. "She really matured this year and has gotten a lot calmer. It's easy to train good horses."
Shake Em Rocks ($11.00) was third in this same race last year, her only previous attempt at 110 yards. The filly now has four career wins in 16 starts and lifetime earnings of $36,289.
Im Sporting Rock survived an inquiry and an objection to remain in second place. The 3-year-old colt was ridden by Manuel Gutierrez for trainer Robi Meche and owner Jose Fabian Hernandez.
Completing the trifecta in the dash was Country Hot Doggin and Francisco Mendez. were Winnes Solid, Cadillac Cash, Classy Seis, Glimpse of Fire, Papi Chulo Jm, The Ram Cartel and Wanna Be a Celebrity completed the field.
Louisiana Seis Gets His First Stakes Victory in the $20,000 Sam Houston Stakes An excellent field went to the gate in the 350-yard $20,000 Sam Houston Stakes for 3-year-olds and up.
The winner was Jose Espinosa’s Louisiana Seis who was ridden by Nestor Duran, who had clung to his mount in an earlier race to avoid falling.
"I thank God I didn't fall in the other race, but this was much easier,” said Duran, who crossed the wire in :17.661 seconds.
The gelding is trained by the leading trainer of the current Sam Houston meet, Santiago Riojas.
"I thought he had a good shot in this Stakes,” noted Riojas. “He was coming off two second place finishes and was breaking well. He finished strong."
Louisiana Seis ($5.60) was the post-time favorite and cleared the field by three-quarters of a length. The 4-year-old had previously qualified for the Firecracker Derby at Delta Downs and finished second in the TQHA Sires Derby at Sam Houston. He now has five career wins and six second-place finishes in 16 starts, with career earnings of $58,711.
Louisiana Seis was bred in Texas by Richard Arizpe, by The Louisiana Cartel out of Seis Passes.
Multiple stakes winner Dm La Jolla and jockey Eddie Sanchez edged out Mystical Jess and Victor Urieta, Jr. for second place.
Dm La Jolla is trained by Porfirio Fierro and is owned by Sergio Jimenze. The 5-year-old gelding was bred in Texas by Donna Mushinski.
Dm La Jolla has earned over $100,000 in his career, including five wins in 27 starts.
Mystical Jess, recent winner of the Miss Sam Houston Stakes, is trained by Josue Ponce. She was bred in Texas by her owner, Juan Lozano, out of the Dash Thru Traffic mare Traffic Juana. Completing the field were Serendipity Rocks, Potus, One Sweet Merlot, Fm Im a Zatanaz Too, Cali Swaggs, Dak and Coronas On the Coast.
Final Week of Racing Ahead
The 20-day Sam Houston Race Park Quarter Horse season will conclude on Saturday, May 25. The card will feature the final of the $25,000-added Space City Maiden Futurity as well as the $50,000 Sam Houston Classic (G2). In addition, the meet’s leading owner, trainer and jockey will be honored.
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 our Suite Level featuring luxurious suites overlooking the racetrack and accommodating groups from 20 to 300 people, The Pavilion Centre, and award-winning dining options at the Winner’s Circle Restaurant and the Jockey Club. For more information on upcoming shows, events and tickets, please visit www.shrp.com.
