Racing


Mister Big Breaks His Maiden In $167,300 Sam Houston Derby (G3)
Jerry Windham's homebred Mister Big winning the Grade 3 Sam Houston Derby on Saturday night at Sam Houston Race Park.

© Sandra Beck / Coady Photography
Mister Big Breaks His Maiden In $167,300 Sam Houston Derby (G3)

HOUSTON, TX—APRIL 19, 2014—Six trials were run on Friday, March 28 for the $167,300 Sam Houston Derby (G3). The third-fastest qualifier, Mister Big ran the race of his life Saturday night to break his maiden and win a graded stake.

Bred and owned-and-bred by Jerry Windham, the 3-year-old son of Shazoom broke like a rocket from the rail under Jose Alvarez. He held off a late charge from Daytona B, posting a final time of :17.576 for the 350-yard final. He is out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Jess An Illusion.

“The horse has changed since we gelded him,” said Kearl. “Since last fall, he trained like a big horse and not a stud colt.”

Windham showed patience with his homebred, who ran in trials for the Rainbow Futurity at Ruidoso and qualified for the Texas Classic Futurity at Lone Star, but never found the winner’s circle.

“He showed enough talent that if we gelded him and started over that he would do okay and he sure did,” said Windham. “He got out good and I thought they would catch him, but he ran a really great race.”

Mister Big was overlooked by the betting public, but rewarded his backers with a win payout of $29.00. He earned $66,920 this evening.

Daytona B finished a head back in second place for trainer Jose Davila and owner Rebeca Garza. Bielau Oaks bred son of First Down Dash in Texas from the multiple stakes winning Toast to Dash mare Dashing Pana. The $26,768 second place check pushed his earnings total over $30,000. Alfonso Lujan had the riding call.

Grant Farms, LLC's homebred Big Dashing Perry picked up $18,403 for third. The Mr Jess Perry gelding is raced by Grant Farms in partnership with Tommy Hays and Bobby Barnett. Bobby Martinez conditions the Louisiana-bred out of Marcys Dashin Bye, by Dashin Bye.

Ss Paydirt, Aunti Up, Cartel Arrangement, Don’t Text That, Rmr Baby Doll, Imkeepingscore and All Lucky Lynn completed the field.

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.