HOUSTON, TX—MAY 3, 2016—A Strong field has been set for the Grade 2 $50,000 Sam Houston Classic, Saturday's ninth race to be run at 440 yards.

Ted G. Abrams, Sr. homebred Jessies First Down, a 5-year-old son of FDD Dynasty, returns to Sam Houston for his third start of the season. Trained by Judd Kearl, the bay gelding was the fastest qualifier in trials to the $107,730 Bank of America Texas Challenge Championship (G2), before running a game second to Jrc Callas First in the April 16 final.

Jockey Rodrigo Vallejo will ride, breaking from post position six at odds of 7-2. Kearl and Vallejo have won two previous editions of the stakes, scoring with Comin Thru in 2010 and Nowurtalkin two years later.

Trainer Bobby Martinez has only had Dashin For A Prize in his barn for 30 days. Owned by Oscar Moreno, the son of Heza Fast Dash has earned $274,180 and exits a stakes win at Remington Park on March 19 in the 550-yard SLM Big Daddy.

Martinez won the 2013 Sam Houston Classic with Runaway Wagon for owners Tommy Hays and Bobby J. Barnett, and reports the Louisiana-bred Dashin for a Prize is prepping well for Saturday's feature.

"He's a nice horse," said Martinez. "If he gets away good, we'll have a shot."

Another contender is Terrazas Family homebred Jumpn Streak, winner of the Adequan Texas Challenge here last May. Trained by Josue Ponce, the 4-year-old son of Jumpn, ran third in the $200,000 Adequan Challenge Championship at Lone Star Park. He already has a stakes win this year, triumphing in the $25,000 Streakin La Jolla Stakes on March 16 at Louisiana Downs.

"He ran a big race in the Streakin La Jolla," said Ponce, who celebrated his 21t birthday last Saturday with a win in the $15,000 Texas Twister. "To run third in the (Adequan) Derby was great and he didn't miss a step in his first start as a 4-year-old."

Jess Toast Winner bred and owned by Maria Guadalupe Araiza, brings a two-race win streak from Retama Park last summer. Luis Vivanco has the call. Poker Chip 831, who ran fourth in the Bank of America Challenge, breaks from the rail under Jerry Lee Yoakum.

The Sam Houston Classic has produced some very notable past champions since its first running in 1994. Past winners include Kool Kue Baby, AQHA World Champion Tailor Fit, Streakin Sin Tacha and The Louisiana Cartel, who won in 2011. He stands stud in Texas for Jorge Haddad and has produced two outstanding crops to date.

The Field Cricket Draws Good Post in the $25,000 Governors' Cup Marathon

The $25,000 Governors' Cup Marathon at 870 yards, will be the first stakes run on the Derby day card.

Last year, The Field Cricket ran second to Fire on the Fly, but in drawing the two hole, could turn things around. Owned by Claud R. Denson, the 8-year-old Texas-bred has won 10 of his 42 career starts. Trained by Jesse Yoakum, The Field Cricket will be ridden by his son, Jerry Lee.

Both men were very relieved by the good draw, as last year, they drew outside posts for each of their 870 starts.

"We finally got a good post," said Jesse Yoakum. "He needs a race, but he'll be alright."

Drawing the rail is Ty Remington's Jess Twice Cash. This will be the first start at Sam Houston for the 6-year-old son of Jess Louisiana Blue, who ran fourth in the 2015 Zoetis Distance Challenge Championship. Remington also trains Jess Twice Cash, who will van in on Wednesday.

"He loves the hook, and always runs well from the inside," said Remington. "We sent him to Hialeah Park for what was supposed to be a four-race distance series, but only ended up with one. "He's doing great and we look forward to coming to Houston."

Dashers Midnight, was an impressive winner of the 2015 Zoetis Texas Distance Challenge here, and will break from post position three under Donald Guynes.

James Gerhards trains the 9-year-old son of Some Dasher for owner/breeders Joe and Elaine McAnally.

EC Cartel, owned by Alejandra Carrion and trained by Judd Kearl, is another experienced distance specialist in the entered in the eight-horse field, which will run as the eighth race on the card.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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.