HOUSTON, TX—APRIL 18, 2015—Daytona B, a 4-year-old son of First Down Dash, delivered a track-record-setting performance in tonight’s feature at Sam Houston Race Park, the $105,840 Bank of America Texas Challenge Championship (G2).

With confident handling by rider Esgar Ramirez, Daytona B surged to the wire of the 440 yard stakes in :21.276, besting the previous record of :21.332 set by Diamond Tres Seis on August 29, 2008.

The well-traveled Texas-bred, owned by Gregorio Garcia Garza, is trained by Rolando Almanza and was the fourth-fastest qualifier in trials contested on March 28. But tonight, he was sharp and emerged victorious against a very contentious field.

Breaking from post position 8, Daytona B broke well and gained momentum, as did fastest qualifier Jessies First Down, a 4-year-old son of FDD Dynasty, owned by Ted G. Abrams, Sr. and trained by Leslie Padilla. The photo finish sign was posted and Daytona B was declared the winner. Both Daytona B and Jessies First Down, piloted by Rodrigo Vallejo, earned 112 Speed indexes this evening.

“He’s a really amazing horse and Rolando has done an amazing job training him,” said Ramirez. “He tries really hard. It was so close; I wasn’t sure I had it, but it was a really nice race.”

Almanza won the 2014 Bank of America Texas Challenge with Dash Master Jess, and was very grateful to be back in the winner’s circle this year.

“First of all, I always thank the Lord for blessing me,” said Almanza. “I still can’t believe it. I thought we had run second!”

Daytona B is no stranger to Bank of America Challenge Championship competition. Last October, he was the winner of the $200,000 Adequan Derby Challenge Championship at Prairie Meadows.

From Iowa, he shipped to Hialeah Park, where he made five starts, winning the $100,000 Sam Abbey Invitational. He is currently ranked seventh on the weekly AQHA/HorsePlayernow.com Top Ten Poll, but Almanza says he will take some time off. “This horse has been on the road, everywhere: Florida, Iowa, but now we are going to give him a rest and save him for Lone Star.”

Bred in Texas by Bielau Oaks, from the multiple stakes winning Toast To Dash mare Dashing Pana, Daytona B's record stands at (16) 7-3-2. The $48,686 Bank of America Texas purse boosted his career total to more than $311,000.

Daytona B ($5.40) will advance to the $350,000 Bank of America Challenge Championship (G1). The 2015 Bank of America Challenge Championships will take place at Lone Star Park on Saturday, November 7.

Winner of the Hialeah Park Maturity earlier this season, Abrams homebred Jessies First Down is out of Jess A Classy Lassy, by Mr Jess Perry. He earned $21,168 for finishing second.

Big Dashing Perry races for the partnership of Bobby Barnett, Tommy Hays and Grant Farms, LLC. Bobby Martinez saddled the Grant Farms, LLC Louisiana-bred son of Mr Jess Perry is out of Marcys Dashin Bye, by Dashin Bye. David Alavarez had the riding assignment and picked up $10,538 for the effort.

Pyro, The Lizzard King, Lil Famous Dash, Im Carvin Waves, Feature My News, Rocket And Roll and Raising Kain completed the field.

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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.