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Full Field of Super Sprinters Entered Texas Twister Saturday Night At Sam Houston Race Park
Track record holder The Hot List returns Saturday night to defend his 2013 Texas Twister Stakes victory at Sam Houston Race Park.

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Full Field of Super Sprinters Entered Texas Twister Saturday Night At Sam Houston Race Park

HOUSTON, TX—APRIL 23, 2014—The $15,000 Texas Twister, at 110 yards, will return for its sixth renewal at Sam Houston Race Park on Saturday night.

The field of ten speedsters includes 2012 Texas Twister champion, The Hot List, who holds the track record of :6.736 seconds. The 6-year-old son of Streakin La Jolla has an excellent record at Sam Houston, winning five of his nine starts here for trainer Yasmine Fierro.

Last year's Texas Twister runner-up, SS Poker Face Dream, is entered, and will break directly to the inside of The Hot List. The 4-year-old Texas-bred is trained by Daniel G. Luna.

A newcomer to the field is Speed Smith, a 6-year-old son of Prime Talent, who won a 110-yard allowance last October at Indiana Downs. Trainer Rolando Almarza believes that the veteran has a good chance in the stakes.

"He's super focused and really sound," states Almarza. "The biggest thing with 110 yards is that your horse has to leave the gates and run a perfect race."

Almarza is thrilled that Dash Master Jess stands at fifth-place on the AQHA/Horseplayer.now Top Ten Poll for older horses. The winner of the $111,780 Bank of America Texas Challenge Championship (G2) here on April 12 has been invited to the Remington Park Invitational (G1) on May 31, and Almarza said he will ship to Remington Park next week.

Festivities Set for the 140th Kentucky Derby Simulcast at Sam Houston Race Park

Sam Houston Race Park invites Houstonians to celebrate the heritage, fashion and excitement of racing’s most prestigious day with the 140th Running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 3, 2014. The day-long sporting and social event will include live Quarter Horse racing, simulcast of the entire race card from Churchill Downs, a$500 Hat Contest, with winners selected by a panel of celebrity judges, traditional Mint Julep cocktails served in a commemorative Kentucky Derby glass and official Kentucky Derby merchandise! Houston fans will have an opportunity to enjoy all the Kentucky Derby festivities as well as live American Quarter Horse racing. The afternoon card begins with a special post time of 1:00 p.m. Two stakes, the Sam Houston Classic (G2) and the 870-yard Governor's Cup Marathon, are set for Saturday afternoon.

The schedule of events is as follows:
9:00 a.m. / Gates Open
9:30 a.m. / 1st Post from Churchill Downs
11:00 a.m. / Buffet Opens
12:00 p.m. / Hat Contest Registration Begins
1:00 p.m. / 1st Live Sam Houston Race
3:00 p.m. / Hat Contest Judging Begins
5:24 p.m. / Running of the 140th Kentucky Derby

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 the Winner’s Circle Restaurant and the Champion Energy Services Jockey Club. For more information on upcoming shows, events and tickets, please visit www.shrp.com.