Karma Cha Ching (#10), under jockey Nestor Duran, holds off Bludz Valiant Policy (#2) in the $176,250 Sam Houston Oaks at Sam Houston Race Park Saturday night.

© Jack Coady Photography

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

HOUSTON, TX–JUNE 13, 2026–Karma Cha Ching outdueled a talented field of sophomore fillies and held off a late charge from heavy favorite Bludz Valiant Policy to capture the first running of the $176,250 Sam Houston Oaks Saturday night at Sam Houston Race Park.

The 3-year-old sorrel filly by Pa Cha Ching from the Tinys First Corona mare Marthas First Corona covered 400 yards in 19.929 over a fast track, earning a 101 speed index while securing the winner’s share of $70,500 from the rich Oaks purse.

Owned and bred in Texas by Sarah Huskey, Karma Cha Ching was saddled by trainer Esteban Rubio and ridden by jockey Nestor Duran. Breaking sharply from the outside post, the filly dueled throughout and prevailed by a neck at the wire. The victory came at odds of 18.30-1.

The winning connections of Karma Cha Ching accept the Sam Houston Oaks stakes trophy at Sam Houston Race Park. © Jack Coady Photography

A finalist in the TQHA Sire's Cup Futurity(RG2) last season, the filly has won three of 10 starts and earned $99,702.

Bludz Valiant Policy, the 1-2 wagering favorite, rallied strongly after a troubled start to finish second, 1 1/2 lengths ahead of third-place finisher Bm Candi Royale. The sorrel filly by champion sire Apollitical Blood out of Bp Tres Policies, by Tres Seis, is owned and bred by Three Bar T Quarter Horses of Texas. Trained by Ben Olaveson and ridden by Luis Vivanco, she earned $35,250, boosting her earnings to $91,970.

Bm Candi Royale finished another neck behind the runner-up in third. The sorrel filly by second-crop sire Dulce Sin Tacha from the Pyc Paint Your Wagon mare Bm Casina Royale races for breeder-owner Bobby Myers. Brittany Tellez trains the filly, who was ridden by Froylan Ramirez and earned $17,625.

Jess So Fly finished fourth, followed by Fire Cowgirl, This Eagles A Leader, Jeg Fascination Chik, Carpe Diem Baby, Political Looker and Anas Juli Ann.

Karma Cha Ching returned $38.60 to win and completed a $33.60 exacta with Bludz Valiant Policy.

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

Would you like more industry news delivered directly to your inbox? Click here to sign up.