Racing


Jrc Callas First Wins The Harris County Stakes On Opening Weekend at Sam Houston Race Park
Jrc Callas First and jockey Damian Martinez are all alone at the wire in the 550 yard Harris County Stakes Saturday night at Sam Houston Race Park.

© Coady Photography
Jrc Callas First Wins The Harris County Stakes On Opening Weekend at Sam Houston Race Park

HOUSTON, TX—MARCH 22, 2014—The first stakes of the 2014 Sam Houston Race Park Quarter Horse season, the $20,000 Harris County Stakes, attracted a solid field of eight. For the third year in a row, trainer Brian Stroud captured the 550 yard feature. The winner was Roberts Racing Stables’ JRC Callas First, who returned in top form after a five month layoff.

Damian Martinez rode the Texas-bred son of Winners Award, breaking from post position six, and crossing the wire in :27.093, three lengths ahead of post time favorite, Corona La Jolla.

“This horse just kept running,” said Martinez. “This was my first stakes win ever!”

Stroud and his wife, Dana, purchased the bay gelding last October at Lone Star Park. J.R. Cass bred the gelding in Texas from the Dirty Coup mare Callas Miss Jane.

“We gave him a break during the winter,” said Stroud. “He’s gotten away from us a few times in the post parade, so we asked permission to pony him to the track. He is a very nice horse.”

Stroud won the Harris County Stakes in 2012 and 2013 with J C My Diamond Man. He believe that JRC Callas First was capable of a stakes win at this distance, based on his previous win at 550 yards, a $10,000 conditioned claiming on August 2 at Retama Park.

Trainer Kie Mushinski was pleased with the runner-up effort of Corona La Jolla, an 870-yard distance specialist.

“He’s not really a 550 horse, but he did well,” said Mushinski. “This was a good tune up for the (870 yard) Governor’s Cup Marathon (on May 3).”

Making his first start since last November, Corona La Jolla earned $4,000 for owner Donna Mushinski. The Tinys First Corona 5-year-old is out of Mary La Jolla, by Streakin La Jolla. Luis Vivanco was aboard the stakes winner of $43,660.

Able Morin saddled Silvia Robles homebred First Spectacular to the third place finish. The Make It Anywhere 3-year-old is out of thoroughbred mare Duchess Eben by Cherokee Run. Ridden by Mario Trujillo, First Spectacular earned $2,200 for the effort.

JC My Diamond Man was a heavy favorite last year, but JRC Callas First rewarded his backers with $14.40 for the $2 win ticket. First Spectacular completed the trifecta and JJS Black Lace ran fourth.

The 2014 live American Quarter Horse meet will feature racing every Thursday and Friday at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday at 6:00 p.m. The racing season will run through Sunday, May 11.

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 16 recently renovated 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. For more information on upcoming shows, events and tickets, please visit www.shrp.com.