HOUSTON, TX—APRIL 29, 2019—The richest race of the 2019 Sam Houston Race Park Quarter Horse meet, the $459,700 Sam Houston Futurity (G2), headlines the eight-race card drawn for Friday, May 3. Post time is 7:15 pm (CT) with the finals of the $167,500 Sam Houston Derby (G3) (see related story) and the $45,970 Sam Houston Juvenile also on the program.

Trump My Record Returns in the $459,700 Sam Houston Futurity (G2).

Sam Houston Race Park hosted 15 trials on Saturday, April 13 for the richest race of the Quarter Horse season, the $459,700 Sam Houston Futurity (G2). The fifth trial of the card produced the fastest qualifier when Trump My Record returned to the winner’s circle with an impressive gate-to-wire victory under rider Eddie Sanchez, covering 330 yards in :16.566 seconds.

Bred in Texas by Fulton Quien Sabe Ranches LP, the son of first-crop sire Apollitical Blood out of the Pyc Paint Your Wagon mare Breck N Records is owned by Cruz E. Nava and trained by his brother-in-law Arturo Davila III. Purchased for just $10,700 at the TQHA Yearling Sale, he was victorious in the $254,070 Harrah's Entertainment Futurity (G3) on March 20 at Louisiana Downs and will attempt to win his second futurity of the year on Friday night as the 6-5 choice.

Nava, a resident of Lytle Texas, will attend Friday’s final with his family.

“I’ll admit that I am a little nervous,” said Nava. “It is a big race; we just hope for a good break and he should do well.”

Trump My Record is undefeated in his three starts and has banked $118,652 this year. His connections paid the $7,500 supplement for the Sam Houston Futurity.

Sanchez qualified three runners for the final, selecting Trump My Record as his mount. Davila did a very good job securing jockeys for his two other qualifiers.

AQHA champion rider Ricky Ramirez will pilot Pa Cha Ching for owner Pat Allen and Raul Ramirez, Jr., who won the 2018 All American Futurity (G1), has the call aboard Arturo Ibarra’s Mystic Lake.

“All three came out of their trial races in good shape,” said Davila. “Trump My Record is very sound. Once Eddie made his decision, we started talking to riders. Pa Cha Ching impressed us, breaking his maiden in his first start. He’s a big horse and we know Ricky will give him a good ride. He will break from the same post as his trial, which is good. ‘Chico’ is a class rider and was more than willing to come in and pilot Mystic Lake.”

Pa Cha Ching, a son of Tempting Dash, won the ninth trial in :16.616, which was the second-fastest clocking of the night. Allen owns the dam, Toole N Round, who won the TQHA Oaks and TQHA Sires’ Cup Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park in 2006 and 2007.

Pete Scarmardo’s homebred Jess Dashin Along set the fourth-fastest time in his trial and drew post position three with jockey Francisco Calderon in the saddle.

“He looks good and Francisco said he pulled up well after his trial,” stated Scarmardo. “It is an excellent field, and it would be great to win it.”

The winner of the 2019 Sam Houston Futurity will earn $183,880. Their name will be added to a distinguished list of past champions, including 2014 AQHA Champion 2-year-old colt, Kiss My Hocks; Azoom; Snowy Alibi, Ivan James, Especially Tres and This Is An Eagle.

The field for the Sam Houston Futurity, which will run as race eight, in post position order, with jockeys and odds:

1. Rusty Blood GL; Victor Urieta, Jr., 15-1
2. A Painted Dynasty; Jesse Levario, 6-1
3. Jess Dashin Along; Francisco Calderon, 8-1
4. Trump My Record; Eddie Sanchez, 6-5
5. Mystic Lake; Raul Ramirez, Jr., 20-1
6. Sensational Senator; Ubaldo Luna, 10-1
7. Domino CD; Luis Vivanco, 15-1
8. Shes No Illusion; Esgar Ramirez, 20-1
9. Pa Cha Ching; Ricky Ramirez, 6-1
10. Doc Hockaday Manuel Gutierrez, 12-1

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$45,970 Sam Houston Juvenile Kicks Off Stakes Action Saturday Night

The $45,970 Sam Houston Juvenile, at 330 yards, will run as the first stakes of the evening. The field is comprised of 2-year-olds that competed in trials for the Sam Houston Futurity three weeks ago but did not qualify in the top ten.

Baby Licious has been installed as the 2-1 morning line favorite. The daughter of FDD Dynasty is owned by Muzquiz Javier De Los Santos and finished second to Trump My Record in the $254,070 Harrah's Entertainment Futurity (G3) on March 20.

"We are pretty high on our filly, who almost beat Trump My Record in the futurity at Louisiana Downs," said trainer Arturo Davila, III. "She came out of her Sam Houston Futurity trial well and we like her chances on Friday."

Another 2-year-old likely to get his share of attention is Expedyte, a Freighttrain B colt owned by Raedele Phipps and trained by Josue Ponce. He won his trial in :16.878 under rider Jesse Levario, despite being bumped out of the gate.

The field for the Sam Houston Juvenile, which runs as race six, in post position order, with jockeys and odds:

1. GBH Streakinforgirls; Jose Martinez, 10-1
2. Baby Licious; Eddie Sanchez, 2-1
3. J Rods Macho Men; Roman Huerta, 8-1
4. My Favorite Q H; Nestor Duran, 15-1
5. Triple Vodka Blu Byu; Esgar Ramirez, 10-1
6. Temptinator; Claudio Aguilar, 20-1
7. No Sins Here; Luis Vivanco, 12-1
8. Expedyte; Jesse Levario, 6-1
9. Ima Dashin Leader; Francisco Calderon, 4-1
10. Lovethewayyourun; Victor Urieta, Jr., 20-1

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Special 1:00 pm Post Time Set for Saturday

Sam Houston Race Park has set a special early post time of 1:05 pm for Kentucky Derby Day on Saturday (May 4). In addition to live racing, fans are invited to enjoy Mint Juleps, the $500 Kentucky Derby Hat Contest and the simulcast of the Kentucky Derby from Churchill Downs. Advance wagering for the entire Saturday, May 4 card, including the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, will be available at Sam Houston Race Park on Friday, May 3.

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Sam Houston Race Park is Houston's premier racing and entertainment facility, located just 15 miles from downtown Houston. The Park offers a variety of attractions including our Suite Level featuring luxurious suites overlooking the race track and accommodating groups from 20 to 300 people, The Pavilion Centre, and award-winning dining options at the Winner's Circle Restaurant and the Jockey Club. For more information on upcoming shows, events and tickets, please visit shrp.com.