HOUSTON, TX—MARCH 31, 2018—Two trials were contested this evening at Sam Houston Race Park to determine the ten fastest qualifiers for the $67,680 Bank of America Texas Challenge Championship (G2).

Jess Bein the Hero ($3.40) with Jorge Linares in the irons, won the first trial in :21.731 seconds. Owned by Juan F. Martinez-Labastida, the son of Valiant Hero made his first start at 440-yards, breaking sharply from the gate and drawing off by ½ length over RC Me Leavin You.

He is trained by Josue Ponce and came into tonight’s trial off Jess Bein the Hero makes his Sam Houston debut off back-to-back stakes wins at Evangeline Downs.

Curtis Crenwelge bred the graded stakes winner in Texas from the Mr Jess Perry mare Jess Braggin. He has compiled a (11) 8-2-0 record and banked nearly $113,000.

RC Me Leaving You, a 6-year-old son of Coronas Leaving You owned by Bennie and Teri Jeter, set the second-fastest time of :21.810. The multiple-stakes winner is trained by Jimmy Padgett and Rodrigo Vallejo, the 2017 leading rider here and 2017 AQHA Racing Champion jockey, had the mount.

R C Running Horses bred RC Me Living You in Texas from the Streakin Six mare Sixy Bottom. The 7-time winner has earning nearly $190,000.

Wild Tycoon was a neck winner over Dash Quick Perry in the second trial to get the third fastest time of :22.002 seconds. Jorge Lopez conditions the Tempting Dash 6-year-old for owner Rogelio Marquez, Jr.

Raul Ramirez, Jr. had the riding call aboard the graded stakes winner out of First Down Hemp by First Down Jewel. Richard and Janelle Simon bred the $72,661 earner in Louisiana.

The ten fastest qualifiers will return for the final on April 21. The winner will represent Sam Houston Race Park in the Grade 1, Bank of America Challenge Championship which will take place on November 17 at Los Alamitos.

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

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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.