Challenge


Bank of America Texas Challenge Championship Trials Set for Saturday
BF Phillips Handicap winner RC Me Leavin You will race in the first Bank of America Challenge Championship trial on Saturday.

© Dustin Orona Photography
Bank of America Texas Challenge Championship Trials Set for Saturday

HOUSTON, TX—MARCH 27, 2018—Sam Houston Race Park will once again participate in the Bank of America Racing Challenge, with regional winners from all over the United States, Canada and Mexico earning berths to final competition each year.

On Saturday night, there will be two trials for the $67,680 Bank of America Texas Challenge Championship (G1) at the "classic" Quarter Horse distance of 440 yards.

The first trial, to be run as the fifth race on the card features two multiple-stakes winners, RC Me Leavin You and Jess Bein the Hero.

RC Me Leavin You will make his first start since winning the BF Phillips Handicap at Lone Star Park last November. The 6-year-old son of Coronas Leaving You is owned by Bennie and Teri Jeter and trained by Jimmy Padgett.

Rodrigo Vallejo, the 2017 leading rider here, has the mount. Jess Bein the Hero makes his Sam Houston debut off back-to-back stakes wins at Evangeline Downs for owner Juan F. Martinez-Labastida. Sired by Valiant Hero, he is trained by Josue Ponce, who will give a leg up to jockey Jorge Linares.

In the second trial for the Bank of America Challenge, Pete Scarmardo’s homebred, Dash Quick Perry has been tabbed as the 2-1 choice. Trained by Leon Bard, the 4-year-old by Down N Dash won the Retama Park Derby and has an excellent record at Sam Houston Race Park. Francisco Calderon, who rides first call for Bard, has the mount.

Tellereyematthebar, bred and owned by James Hrabovksy and J. Leann Nalls, made his debut at Sam Houston Race Park as a 2-year-old. The 5-year-old son of Teller Cartel has raced in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and New Mexico, winning six of his 17 career efforts. Juan Garcia, Jr. has the mount for trainer Gilbert Aguirre, III.

The ten fastest qualifiers will return for the final on April 21, with the winner earning a berth to the Bank of America Challenge Championship at Los Alamitos in Cypress, California on November 17.

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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.