HOUSTON, TX—APRIL 13, 2018—Friday the 13th turned out to be a good day for 3-year-old Washta Magnolia. The son of Cartel Success broke his maiden with impressive win at Sam Houston Race Park to set the top qualifying time for the Grade 3 Sam Houston Derby.

Ridden by jockey Manuel Gutierrez, Washta Magnolia drove a one-length victory over Special Lil Darling. The gelding posted a :17.660 clocking, into a 15-mph headwind, to set the top mark from 60 3-year-olds who participated in seven trials.

The 10 fastest will return to Sam Houston Race Park Saturday, April 28th to vie for the winners' share of a $191,900 purse.

Saddled for the first time by trainer Jorge Lopez, the Texas-bred gelding was making his first start since finishing fourth in a Evangeline Downs Futurity trial last November. Owned by Jorge Aguilera, Washta Magnolia went 0-1-1 in five starts last season.

Bred in Oklahoma by Andrew Smith, from the Jess Louisiana Blue mare Queens Magnolia, the bay gelding has earned $4,780.

Also breaking his maiden Friday night was the Captain Courage colt Schutts. Under jockey Eddie Sanchez, Schutts drew clear early in the third trial as he romped a 1-¼ win in his first career start. His time of :17.665 seconds, a 93-speed index into an 18 mph head wind, was the second fastest of the evening.

Saul Ramirez, Jr. saddled the first-time winner for owner Luis Alberto Villarreal. Tommy and Johanna Bullard bred the sorrel colt from the Truly First Class mare Sams First Girl.

Under jockey Eddie Sanchez, multiple stakes-finalist Kas Tempting rolled to a 2-¾ length win in the opening trial to get the third fastest time of :17.669 seconds, a 93-speed index into an 18-mph headwind. He is also conditioned by Saul Ramirez, Jr.

A finalist in last year's Grade to Sam Houston Futurity and the Evangeline Downs Derby, Kas Tempting races for owner Garza Laurel Partnership LLC. Bred by Francisco Javier Garza, from the Make It Anywhere mare Beaukas, the Tempting Dash colt has compiled a (6) 3-1-0 record and banked more than $55,000.

Tempting Dash was the only sire with multiple qualifiers, also getting Tempting Pink, a winner of the trial six, who qualified with the 5th fastest time of :17.751.

Trainer Rodolfo Sanchez joined trainer Saul Ramirez, Jr. as the only trainer with multiple qualifiers. He saddled 5th and 6th qualifiers Tempting Pink and Special Lil Darling.

For the complete list of qualifiers, times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.