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© Coady Photography
HOUSTON, TX—APRIL 26, 2016—Just three more weeks remain in the 2016 Sam Houston Race Park Quarter Horse season. The action resumes Friday, April 29 with the popular 50 cent Beer Friday from 6-9 pm.
On Saturday, April 23, live racing gets underway at 6:10 pm with two stakes, the $26,100 Merial Texas Distaff Challenge (see related story) and the $15,000 Texas Twister. Following the conclusion of live racing on Saturday evening, Blackberry Smoke will perform on the Bud Light Stage.
Ten "Super" Sprinters Entered in the $15,000 Texas Twister
The $15,000 Texas Twister, at 110 yards, will return for its eighth renewal at Sam Houston Race Park. Always a fan favorite, the race is completed in less than seven seconds, more often than not, with a blanket photo finish!
Two horses owned by Texan Pete Scarmardo drew side by side in the far outside posts. Snipes And Bites, a 5-year-old son of Vrrroom, trained by Brian Stroud, was installed as the 3-1 morning line choice. He has won eight of his 23 career starts and will wheel back after a very close second in the $20,000 Delta Dash on April 23.
Luis Ramirez has the mount. Scarmardo's homebred Kid Can Dash is undefeated here this season and was very impressive on April 9 as the favorite in the $98,300 Sam Houston Maiden Classic. Francisco Calderon, having the best meet of his career, retains the mount for trainer Leon Bard.
Red Corona Warrior is the high earner in the field with $111,971 earned in his 15 career efforts. Owned and bred by the Terrazas Family and trained by Josue Ponce, the 4-year-old son of Coronas Fast Dash ran second in the $128,250 Gillespie County Fairground Futurity in 2014 and prepped for this in an allowance race here on April 20. Francisco Ramirez, Jr. will guide Red Corona Warrior from post position two.
Big Meet for Jockey Francisco Calderon
Jockey Francisco Calderon is having the best meet of his career this season at Sam Houston Race Park. The 22-year-old was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas and began riding in 2012.
Last year, he finished third in the standings, with 25 wins, including the Paint Futurity and Maturity stakes. He is just two wins behind Rodrigo Vallejo this meet and won the richest race of the Sam Houston Quarter Horse meet, guiding Just Call Me Carter to a decisive score in the $540,000 Sam Houston Futurity. It was the biggest race of his career and he admits that it still hasn't sunk in.
© Coady Photography
Calderon had to learn from the ground up and credits jockey Ignacio Bustamante for teaching him the ropes.
"I did everything I was asked to do in the barn," said Calderon. "Ignacio told me 'you have to know a horse before you get on a horse'. So I groomed, fed, mucked stalls; it was all important."
Riding first call for trainer Leon Bard has also been a huge boost to his stats.
"Leon asked me to ride first call for his barn," added Calderon. "It was an opportunity that I could not pass up. He's a good horsemen and a great person. I don't feel any pressure riding for Leon; he has confidence in me and that means a great deal."
So Calderon curtailed the celebration from last Saturday and is hoping that he might win his first ever riding title when the Sam Houston meet wraps up on April 14.
"On Monday morning, I was the first rider on the track working horses," explained Calderon. "People were asking why I was out there after winning the big futurity. I want to keep working hard and win even more big races!"
Judd Kearl and Rodrigo Vallejo Remain on Top at Sam Houston Race Park
Trainer Judd Kearl continues to lead in the trainer standings for the 2016 Sam Houston Quarter Horse meet with 23 wins. Last year's leading trainer, Angel Sanchez is second with 14, including a victory last Saturday in the $540,000 Sam Houston Futurity with Call Me Carter. Leon Bard follows with 13 wins and Brian Stroud is fourth with 9 victories.
© Coady Photography
Pete A. Scarmardo is the leader in the owner standings with six wins and Jorge Haddad is second with five victories. John Boegner won three races on the Monday afternoon card to move into third place with four wins this meet.
Blackberry Smoke Performs in the Q Morning Zoo Concert Series at Sam Houston Race Park on Saturday, April 30
The entertaining 2016 Post Race Concert Series returns to the Bud Light stage this weekend with Blackberry Smoke performing on Saturday, April 30. The series continues through May 14 and each concert is FREE with $7 live racing admission before 8pm, and $20 after 8pm at the gate. Save $6 (Just $14) on after 8pm admission by purchasing tickets online in advance at shrp.com.
The remaining two featured performers are:
- April 30 - Blackberry Smoke
- May 14 - Roger Creager
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.