HOUSTON, TX—APRIL 8, 2015—The $20,000 Zoetis Texas Distance Challenge will feature eight American Quarter Horses competing at the distance of 870 yards.

Dashers Midnight, who ran second for the past two years in the $100,000 Red Cell Distance Challenge Championship, is the highest earner in the field with $154,567 in 35 starts.

The 8-year-old distance specialist, bred and owned by Elaine and Joe McAnally, won last year's edition of this Challenge stakes. Trained by James Gerhards, Dashers Midnight drew post position five and will be guided by Santos Carrizales. They will face some familiar opponents, most notably EC Cartel, owned by Alejandra Carrion and trained by Padilla. The two squared off on March 25 with EC Cartel drawing off to a seven length win under jockey Francisco Calderon.

"I wish I had drawn a little better post," said Gerhards. "He needed his last race and should do well on Saturday if he can break well and get to the rail."

Claud S. Denson's The Field Cricket has three wins at the distance, but has not won at Sam Houston Race Park. He will break from post position seven under last year's leading rider Luis Vivanco.

The winner of the Zoetis Texas Distance Challenge will earn a berth to the $100,000 Zoetis Distance Challenge Championship at Lone Star Park on Saturday, October 7.

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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.