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© Rosslyn Yoakum / Coady Photography
HOUSTON, TX—APRIL 19, 2014—The finals of the richest race of the 2014 Quarter Horse Meeting, the $563,950 Sam Houston Futurity (G2) took place tonight at Sam Houston Race Park, and it’s safe to say, that another star has emerged.
Kiss My Hocks drew considerable attention when he ran in trials here on March 29. Not only did the son of Tempting Dash win his 330-yard trial in a time of :16.433, he broke a track record of :16:514 seconds set on July 5, 2002 by Pies Power Play.
Trainer Toby Keeton had all the faith in the world in his colt, reporting that he came out of the trial in peak condition and would run an equally good race in the final.
“Never fear when Toby is near,” quipped the popular conditioner.
However, Keeton was not near this evening. He was at Remington Park overseeing the Oklahoma contingent, including Jody Pops Zoomer in the Bob Moore Memorial Stakes. His capable wife, Cindi saddled Kiss My Hocks and Keeton was right; there was nothing to fear.
The sorrel colt broke from the rail under rider Luis Vivanco and benefitted when Jettin Cosmos and Sixes Down bore out, leaving a clear path on the inside of the track. Vivanco kept his charge to task, crossing the wire in :16.719 seconds, earning a speed index of 99.
It was a proud moment for owners Conda Maze and Tyler Graham, who bred the son of Tempting Dash out of the Tres Seis mare Romancing Mary, with John Mayers.
“I’ve always told everybody that this horse has not disappointed me a day since I raised him,” said Graham. “We have a good team and he knows he’s a superstar.”
"We thank Toby, Cindi and all the boys on the backside," added Maze. "He’s a special athlete; I come out every morning and love this horse.”
This was the first Sam Houston Futurity for Keeton, who will celebrate his 50th birthday on June 6.
“I was never worried about the draw,” said Keeton via telephone from Remington Park. “The good horses can carry their speed from anywhere.”
Glimpse Of Dash races for owner Jaime Flores and trainer Roberto Ramirez. Saul Ramirez, Jr. rode the Glimpse Of Greatness gelding out of the Moon Shine Dash mare Double Dash Queen. He earned $90,232 for the effort. Mauro Valdez is the breeder.
Juan Saucedo saddled Quic Carter to his third place effort for owner Marina Nino. Ridden by Eleazar Hernandez, the Carters Cartel gelding picked up $62,035. S&G Lucas/Montemayer bred the 2-year-old in California from the Separatist mare Quic Jess.
Completing the field were Cosmo Traffic, Tres Air, Sixes Down, A Cartel Legend, Smile Big Time, String Bet and Jetin Cosmos.
Kiss My Hocks returned $5.80 for the win and picked up a winner’s check in the amount of $225,580. Maze said Kiss My Hocks will make his next start at Ruidoso Downs.
Lethal Perry Much the Best in the $50,000 Sam Houston Juvenile
The $50,000 Sam Houston Juvenile Stake kicked off the stakes action on Saturday evening. The stakes featured American Quarter Horses that competed in trials for the Sam Houston Futurity on March 29, but missed the cut-off time of :16.753 seconds.
© Sandra Beck / Coady Photography
“All the Wood horses are professional,” said Esgar. “She didn’t break that well, but really finished well.”
Blane Wood saddled the filly for his son, Trey. She earned a speed index of 94 and paid $5.60 as the favorite in the six-horse field. P.K. Thomas bred Letha Perry in Oklahoma from the Chicks Beduino mare Miss Lethal.
"She had the first race jitters in her trial," said Wood. "But Esgar figured it out. She didn’t break that well, but got going in the end."
Sam Houston Futurity(G2) winning owner/breeder Tyler Graham and Conda Maze race Lovethewayyoulie, a Tempting Dash filly from the Streakin Sixes mare Witches Streak. The Toby Keeton trainee earned $12,500 for second. Luis Vivanco was riding.
Joe Flores' Bigtime Connoisseur finished a neck back for trainer Jorge Barrera. Alfonso Lujan rode the Bigtime Favorite Texas-bred out of Sinuous, by Mr Jess Perry. Bred by Bobby D. Cox, he earned $10,000 for the effort.
Completing the field were Jazzzing To The Blues, Amore Sr and Love That Eagle. Executive Rule, Executive Successor, Stolin Wagon and The Golden Bowl were all scratched.
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 theWinner’s Circle Restaurant and the Champion Energy Services Jockey Club. For more information on upcoming shows, events and tickets, please visit www.shrp.com.