HOUSTON, TX—APRIL 5, 2016—The $21,510 Zoetis Texas Distance Challenge at Sam Houston Race Park on Saturday will feature eight impressive American Quarter Horse distance specialists competing at the distance of 870 yards.

Fire On The Fly, two-time winner of the 870-yard $25,000 Governors' Cup Marathon at Sam Houston Race Park, has been installed as the 3-1 choice. The Bullard Farms homebred will make his 28th career start and has won eight distance races for his trainer, Tommy Bullard. Bullard is a practicing veterinarian and gives all the credit to Fire on the Fly.

“He’s a special horse, but he’s had some issues,” said Bullard. “I don’t think I did that much with him; he’s just an amazing athlete.”

Bullard tabbed Louisiana-based jockey Donell Blake to ride the 6-year-old son of Jet Cartel. Blake rode the handsome gray in both victories earlier this year at Louisiana Downs, and he won both by a four-length margin. On Saturday, they will break from the enviable rail post position.

EC Cartel, a Tiny First Corona gelding owned by Alejandra Carrion and trained by Judd Kearl, comes into the feature off back-to-back 870-yard stakes victories at Lone Star Park and Evangeline Downs. Kearl, the current leading trainer at Sam Houston Race Park, will get a rare "hook race" appearance by his first-call rider, Rodrigo Vallejo.

"I told him he had to ride," said Kearl, of Vallejo. "This horse always runs well fresh and drew well (post position three) for this."

Dashers Midnight, who ran second in the 2013 and 2014 Zoetis Distance Challenge Championship, is the highest earner in the field with $182,413 in 41 starts.

The 9-year-old Some Dasher distance specialist, bred and owned by Elaine and Joe McAnally, is trained by James Gerhards, and will be guided by Santos Carrizales.

The field also includes Stolis Pro, bred and owned by Jerry Windham and two John Boegner homebreds, Speed Bok and Bling Bling Bok.

The winner of the Zoetis Texas Distance Challenge will earn a berth to the $125,000 Zoetis Distance Challenge Championship at Los Alamitos on October 29.

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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.