Challenge


Time For Wine Survives Objection In Winning The $26,100 Merial Texas Distaff
Time For Wine, under jockey Francisco Calderon, winning the $26,100 Merial Texas Distaff Challenge Saturday night at Sam Houston Race Park.

© Coady Photography
Time For Wine Survives Objection In Winning The $26,100 Merial Texas Distaff

HOUSTON, TX—APRIL 30, 2016—Troubled trips have been the norm instead of the exception for Pete Scarmardo’s Time For Wine, but tonight was her night to shine.

After a trainer’s objection and lengthy review by the stewards, her number stayed up and was crowned the winner of the $26,100 Merial Texas Distaff Challenge.

Kitty Kat Galore B, a 4-year-old daughter of FDD Dynasty owned by Bryon Gardner was sent off as the .30-1 favorite. Breaking from post position three, she was bumped hard by both #2 Sure Fire Flyer and Time for Wine, out of the four hole. Trainer Judd Kearl lodged a claim of foul, but no action was taken.

Time For Wine got her third career win, clocking 400 yards in :20.074 seconds. The 4-year-old Mr Jess Perry mare is trained by Leon Bard and ridden by Francisco Calderon.

“I was in my lane the whole time,” said Calderon of the objection. “The two came out; my filly was running and I didn’t want to shift into the five hole and cause trouble. I did the best I could.”

Scarmardo was relieved following the official ruling.

“If you race long enough, finally they’ll all even out,” said Scarmardo “Maybe this time it was payback for her.”

He indicated that Time for Wine will run this summer at Retama Park before heading to California.

Kearl saddled the runner-up Lil Effortless Reign, who made her stakes debut for Scarlett Hill Farms Inc. She outran her odds of 45-1 under Noe Villatoro. The 3-year-old daughter of He Will Reign is out of the Special Effort mare Effortless Love. She has earned $10,201.

Coming off a win in the Miss Houston Stakes in her last start, Kitty Kat Galore had to settle for third. The stakes winning daughter of FDD Dynasty had regular rider Rodrigo Vallejo in the saddle. Bielau Oaks bred the filly from the Oak Tree Special mare Fast Prize Ginger. She has earned nearly $73,000.

Time for Wine returned $10.20 as the 4-1 second choice. Bred by Vessels Stallion Farm, she will represent Texas in the $125,000 Merial Distaff Challenge Championship (G1) at Los Alamitos on October 29. Shiner Blond, Vital Temp, N Bee C, Sure Fire Flyer and Cabana Girl completed the field.

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Sam Houston Race Park is Houston’s premier racing and entertainment facility, located just 15 miles from downtown Houston, and offers a variety of attractions including our Suite Level presented by Draft Kings, The Pavilion Centre, and award-winning dining options at the Winner’s Circle Restaurant and the Jockey Club. For more information on upcoming group events, racing events, shows and tickets, please visit www.shrp.com.