HOUSTON, TX—APRIL 25 2015—The finals of the richest race of the 2015 Quarter Horse Meeting, the $621.100 Sam Houston Futurity (G2) took place tonight at Sam Houston Race Park, and the honors went to the fastest qualifier, Ivan James.

The son of Ivory James out of the Dashin Bye mare First Dashin Bye is bred and owned by Jorge Meraz of Bastrop, Texas. Breaking from post position five under rider Raul Ramirez, Jr., the bay colt led gate-to wire, 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-for two career record and earned $248,440 this evening.

"Fast horses make it so easy," said Ramirez. "The first time I worked him, I knew he was special. He just keeps getting better and better. Angel is a pretty good horseman, and has a great team.”

Meraz also bred Ivan James and as well as Miss Aguilar, a Tres Seis filly, who finished fourth. He was joined by family and friends, but took a minute to acknowledge Ivan James’ dam, First Dashin Bye.

"First Dashin Bye was very special," said Meraz. "I think her son will be the same! We plan to run him in the Firecracker Futurity and then the Texas Classic Futurity.”

Ivan James was sent off as the favorite and returned $3.80 for the win. This Is A Deal, a Dealagame gelding owned and bred by Pete Scarmardo,ran second, followed by tenth-fastest qualifier Ec Jet One and Miss Aguilar.

Leon Bard saddled This Is A Deal for owner/breeder Pete Scarmardo. The Dealagme gelding is form the First Down Dash mare Lady Lilia. Ridden by jockey Francisco Calderon, This Is A Deal earned $99,376 for the runner-up effort.

Ec Jet One is also a homebred racing for owner/breeder Enrique Carrion and trainer Leslie Padilla. The bay colt is by first crop sire The Louisana Cartel out of Pretty Girl Perry, by Mr Jess Perry. Ridden by Esgar Ramirez, Ec Jet One picked up $68,321.

Miss Aguilar, Tempting This Snow, Hi Hoppin, Winschke, Apachedashing and Mighty Zapata completed the field. Nexxus was scratched. This was the first Sam Houston Futurity title for Sanchez, who served as assistant to Duane Hartsell when he won the 2002 title with Shiney Sign. It was also the first win in the prestigious race for the 33-year-old Ramirez. His brother Saul won the 1994 edition of the race aboard A Touch of Victory as well as the 2010 Sam Houston Futurity with Sixes Liaison. Their cousin, J. R. Ramirez was victorious in 2002 on Shiney Sign.

This is the largest purse for the Sam Houston Futurity since its first running in 1994, with the winner receiving $248,440. The previous highest purse was $600,000 in 2011. This year's champion will join a noted list of the Sam Houston Futurity, which includes 2014 AQHA Champion 2-year-oldKiss My Hocks (2014) and Azoom. who won 11 races in 2004. Other notable winners include Snowy Alibi, Sassmaster and Jess Tee Off.

Empty Arms Pulls the Upset in the $50,000 Sam Houston Juvenile

The $50,000 Sam Houston Juvenile Stakes kicked off the stakes action on Saturday evening. The stakes featured American Quarter Horses that competed in trials for the Sam Houston Futurity on April 4, but missed the cut-off time of :17.085 seconds.

Empty Arms broke like a rocket under Santos Carrizales, powering to the wire in :17.065. Trained by Leon Bard for owner Pete Scarmardo, the Oklahoma-bred daughter of Tac It Like a Man, broke her maiden in style. Purchased by Scarmardo for $11,000 at the Ruidoso Select Sale, she rewarded her backers with a win payout of $55.40.

“Leon told me the filly was doing better than in the trials and she would surprise us,” said Carrizales.

Bard saw her potential when she began training at Retama Park.

“She was an excitable, fractious filly that just needed to get her act together,” said Bard.

J.Garvin Kelly, J.L. Yother and Nancy Yearsley bred filly in Oklahoma from the stakes winning Tres Seis mare Answer The Dream.

Scarmardo was proud of Empty Arms and reported that she is paid into several futurities at Ruidoso Downs and will be heading to New Mexico next month.

Angel Sanchez saddled Mr Bac Traffic who finished a length back in the place position for owner/breeder Omar Mireles. Raul Ramirez, Jr. rode the First Down Mr Jess gelding out of Bac Traffic, by Splash Bac. He earned $12,500 for second.

A neck back in third place was Bryon Gardner's Carters Cartel filly Carters Sixty Six. Leslie Padilla trains the Kansas bred daughter of Going Sixty Six, by Sixarun. Ridden by Rodrigo Vallejo and bred by Michael Samples, Carters Sixty Six pocketed $10,000 for her effort.

Runaway Chic Lbh, Lil Dashing Menace, Gbh Gunsmoke, Real Solid Oak, Jetsie Cartel, Dashing Red Lady and Honeys Louisiana Pop 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.