HOUSTON, TX—MAY 20 2015—The 2015 Sam Houston Race Park Quarter Horse Meet concluded on Saturday, May 16 with live racing and the simulcast of the thrilling Preakness Stakes.

Ivan James, a 2-year-old colt bred and owned by Jorge Meraz, was named 2015 Horse of the Meet. The talented juvenile made his career debut in trials for the richest race of the season, the $621,100 Sam Houston Futurity (G2).

The son of Ivory James out of the Dashin Bye mare First Dashin Bye recorded the fastest time in trials under Raul Ramirez, Jr. On April 25, the bay colt returned in fine form for the final, led gate-to wire, before drawing off to a 1¼ length victory. He covered 330 yards in :16.701, faster than his maiden-breaking trial win in 16.748.

Trained by Angel Sanchez, Ivan James now posts a perfect two-fo- two career record and earned $248,440 for the winner's share of the richest purse in the history of the Sam Houston Futurity.

Meraz is very proud of his homebred and pleased that his was honored by Sam Houston Race Park.

"I thought he would be a good horse as his mama, First Dashin Bye was very special," said Meraz. "When we sent him to Houston in February and he had that work on that cold, rainy day, we saw his potential."

The owner appreciated the confident handling by Ramirez and the excellent care he has received from Sanchez.

"Angel is an excellent horseman," added Meraz. "He has a great team and they work very hard. He and Jose as well as the rest of the team have done a great job for us."

Meraz confirmed that Ivan James will compete in the Firecracker Futurity at Delta Downs (trials on June 13) and return to Texas for the Texas Classic Futurity at Lone Star Park.

In addition to being honored by Sam Houston Race Park, Ivan James has earned national recognition in the 2-year-old AQHA Racing-Horseplayernow.com Top Ten Poll.

"We congratulate Mr. Meraz for the accomplishments of Ivan James," said Fred Hutton, Sam Houston Race Park racing secretary. "This was an exceptional season with many talented stakes winners that will make an impact throughout the year in Quarter Horse racing."

Handle and Attendance Solid for 2015 Quarter Horse Meet

Sam Houston Race Park officials were pleased with handle and attendance numbers for the 24-day Quarter Horse meet, which began on March 27. Total daily handle was up 3%, with an increase of daily export handle up 5%, and an increase of overall attendance of 5%.

"We are very pleased to once again have a very successful racing season," said Sam Houston Race Park President, Andréa Young. "The gains we experienced this season are a direct reflection of our amazing fans and supportive horsemen."

Angel Sanchez Repeats as Leading Trainer

Angel Sanchez earned his second consecutive Trainer of the Meet title, edging Brian Stroud by one win on the final day of the racing season. The Texas horseman began as an assistant to Duane Hartsell and has been on his own for eight years. Sanchez won 22 of his 79 starts and was the leading money earner as well with $466,653. He had a talented group of 2-year-olds, entering 14 horses in trials for the $621,100 Sam Houston Futurity (G2). He won six races and qualified four juveniles for the lucrative final, winning the final with fastest qualifier, Ivan James.

"I won this title by a nose," said Sanchez of the close trainer battle. "The big difference from last year was the number of babies we broke this year. I am blessed to have a great team and the support of my family."

Sanchez, who resides in Stockdale, Texas, will ship his runners to Retama Park for their 2015 Quarter Horse meet, which gets underway on June 5.

Stroud had his best season ever at Sam Houston, winning 21 races and running 2014 AQHA World Champion Jrc Callas First in the $50,000 Sam Houston Classic. Leslie Padilla saddled 19 winners; James Gerhards finished fourth in the standings with 12 wins and Trey Wood and Abel Morin tied for fifth with 9 wins each.

Damian Martinez Earns His First Leading Riding Title

With one of the most competitive jockey colonies in recent history, Damian Martinez was solid from the first weekend on to clinch his first leading rider title. The 21-year-old rode 167 horses, concluding the meet with a record of 32 wins, 19 seconds, 19 third-place finishes and purses of $252,392.

Born in Coahuila, Mexico, Martinez began riding professionally in 2012. Finishing fifth in the standings here last year, he vaulted to the top this season with victories for a number of horsemen including Brian Stroud, Josue Ponce, Tommy Bullard and Toby Keeton. He won the Sam Houston Maiden Classic with El Chinito Boy and the Governors' Cup Marathon aboard Fire On The Fly.

"The meet has been great," said Martinez "I have to thank my trainers, especially Brian Stroud for putting me on good horses. Jrc Callas First has meant the world to me and to my career. What I love most about riding is learning to get along with horses, especially the difficult ones."

Martinez will make a trip to Remington Park over Memorial Day weekend to ride Jrc Callas First in the $250,000 Remington Park Invitational before heading to Retama Park for their Quarter Horse season.

He and his wife, Bianca, reside in San Antonio, Texas. They are proud parents of 10-month-old Daila, who Martinez calls his "lucky charm".

Luis Vivanco, who won the title three years in a row, finished second with 26 wins. Francisco Calderon was third with 25 winners;Luis Ramirez followed with 21 victories and Rodrigo Vallejo rounded out the top five with 20 trips to the winner's circle.

Pete Scarmardo Clinches Leading Owner Title

The race for Owner of the Meet went to the wire on the final day of the meet with Pete Scarmardo capturing his first Sam Houston Race Park title.

The Caldwell, Texas cattleman has been involved in Quarter Horse racing and breeding for decades. He won nine races this meet, winning the $50,000 Sam Houston Juvenile with Empty Arms and running second with his homebred This Is A Deal in the richest race of the meet, the $621,100 Sam Houston Futurity.

"It's always good to win in horse racing," said Scarmardo on the final day of the meet. "People don't realize how tough this business is. When you win, you have to be very thankful because it doesn't always turn out that way. I'd like to thank Brian Stroud, Leon Bard and Tooter Jordan for their job in training my horses as well as Luis Ramirez, Santos Carrizales and Francisco Calderon for riding. It's been a real fun year so far!"

Several of Scarmardo's runners are already at Ruidoso Downs. This Is A Deal will run Friday in trials for the $750,000 Ruidoso Futurity (G1). A. D. Maddox, who has five leading owner titles to his credit, finished second in the standings with eight wins. Jose Espinosa and Wayne Stroud tied for third with five victories.

Sam Houston Race Park will remain open seven days a week offering a comprehensive menu of simulcast racing. Next up is the simulcast of the third leg of racing's Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 6. Popular race meets includingMonmouth Park, Saratoga and Del Mar will showcase top Thoroughbreds this summer and Quarter Horse fans will be able to watch and wager on "America's fastest athletes" at Ruidoso Downs, beginning May 22.

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

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 Jockey Club. For more information on upcoming shows, events and tickets, please visit www.shrp.com.