By Martha Claussen

HOUSTON, TX, JUNE 10, 2025–Sam Houston Race Park will host a Quarter Horse stakes extravaganza on Saturday, June 14, with nine featured races on the program, highlighted by the richest race of the season, the $700,000 Sam Houston Futurity (G2). Post time is 6:30 pm (Central) for the final night of the 2025 live racing season.

Since its first running in 1994, winning the Sam Houston Futurity has been a goal for Texas breeders, owners, trainers, and jockeys. This year’s purse is the second largest in the history of the race, with BH Inxs winning the $731,650 final in 2021.

Ten talented juveniles clinched their berths in 350-yard trials run on Friday, May 23, and Saturday, May 24.

The top time on the first night of the trial belonged to Florentino Leon’s Ocho Rojo. Bred in California by  Juan Humberto Moya, the son of Favorite Cartel out of the Walk Thru Fire mare Sizzling N Fast, has won two of his three starts.

He qualified for the $419,725 Oklahoma Futurity(G2) at Remington Park but finished last in the March 22nd final. However, he was a different juvenile at Sam Houston on May 23, with his trial win in 17.695 seconds impressing horsemen and fans alike.

Trainer Oscar Constancio, Jr., had to secure another rider for the final as Sam Houston Race Park’s leading rider Victor Urieta, Jr., who qualified several juveniles, will ride Kas He Tells You in Saturday night’s final.

Juan Pulido, who won the 2024 Sam Houston Futurity aboard Dk Marney Jess, has a call aboard Ocho Rojo, installed as the 9-5 morning line favorite. Nestor Duran qualified sixth-fastest qualifier DK Marney Jess last year, but opted to ride fastest qualifier, Machiavelli, in the final.

"Nestor Duran qualified her, so I looked at the tapes and saw that she does well in the gates and she didn't miss," said Pulido in the winner’s circle last June.

Currently ranked third in the national Quarter Horse jockey standings, it seems likely that, after studying Ocho Rojo's 2025 races, he could have success again this year.

Victor Urieta, Jr., winner of the 2022 Sam Houston Futurity with Bye Corona Bye, will remain aboard Kas He Tells You, who won his trial on the second night of competition in 17.767 seconds.

Bred in Texas by Francisco Javier Garza and owned by Garza and Josue Ponce, the gelded son of Tell Cartel out of Beaukas by Make It Anywhere, made his debut at Sunland Park, qualifying for the West Texas Juvenile on April 5. Conditioner Patrick Clemons will saddle Kas He Tells You (4-1) as well as Flawless Grace (8-1) for owner Rolando Resendez and H & E Ranch Inc.’s Britts Special Candy (7-2).

Another notable qualifier from the Saturday, May 24 trials was Kas Hes Ec, who crossed the wire in 17.981 seconds. Top Louisiana jockey Everardo Rodriguez guided the son of Ec Jet One for trainer Riley Aguilar. Also bred by Francisco Javier Garza,  Kas Hes Ec was purchased by R C Stables LLC for  $36,000 at the 2024 TQHA Yearling Sale. He will make his third career start at odds of 10-1.

Flawless Grace is the only other qualifier to finish in less than eighteen seconds.  Bred in Oklahoma, she is a daughter of top freshman stallion Dulce Sin Tacha. The filly out of the Apollitical Jess mare Heroic Grace qualified with a time of 17.928 seconds for owner Kelly Yother Equine LLC. One of three finalists trained by Patrick Clemons, she will break from the rail under jockey Jorge Garcia at odds of 8-1.

Post time for Saturday’s card is 6:30 pm (CT). The Sam Houston Futurity (G2) will run as the eleventh race, with an approximate post time of 11:02 pm. The winner will earn $280,000 and join a distinguished list of past winners, including 2014 AQHA Champion 2-year-old colt, Kiss My Hocks; Azoom; Snowy Alibi, Ivan James, Especially Tres, and Trump My Record.

Here is the field for the Sam Houston Futurity, in post-position order, including jockey assignments and odds:
1. Flawless Grace (JJ Garcia), 8-1
2. West Texas Royalty Luis Vivanco) 15-1
3. Kas He Tells You (Victor Urieta, Jr.), 4-1
4. Tyrannical (Rene Alvizo), 20-1
5. Britts Special Candy (Nestor Duran), 7-2
6. Ocho Rojo (Juan Pulido), 9-5
7. A Maverick (Claudio Aguilar), 12-1
8. Run On Monday (Noe Villatoro), 15-1
9. Kas  Hes Ec (Everardo Rodriguez), 10-1
10. Cm Heavenly Cowboy (H. Javier Hernandez), 20-1

Sam Houston Futurity Winner Kiss My Hocks Continues to Excel in His Stallion Career

Throughout its esteemed history, there have been many Sam Houston Futurity champions who have shown their talent on the racetrack and gone on to prominence as stallions.

 

That is certainly the case with 2014 winner Kiss My Hocks, who set a new track record in his 330-yard trial and was honored as 2014 AQHA Champion 2-year-old Colt. Bred in Texas by Tyler Graham and John Mayers, the son of Tempting Dash out of the Tres Seis mare Romancing Mary won nine of his 12 starts in 2014 and 2015, earning $1,199,385.

Veteran rider Luis Vivanco, who guided Kiss My Hocks to victory here eleven years ago, cherishes that memory.

“I have ridden several horses who have set track records, but none like him,” stated Vivanco. “He was so powerful and acted more like an older horse than a juvenile. I will always be grateful for the opportunity to ride a horse like that!”

Retired to stud in 2016 by owners Conda Maze and Tyler Graham, Kiss My Hocks began his stud career in Texas for several years. They steadily bred a growing list of graded stakes winners in New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Indiana. He has sired many prominent offspring in Texas, including TQHA Sale Futurity champions Dollar Bill and Joose Box.

Kiss My Hocks now stands at Lazy E Ranch in Oklahoma, and his progeny earnings are nearing the $14 million mark.

“We retired him following his 3-year-old season,” explained co-owner Conda Maze. “His stallion career is taking off, and he has been booked to many accomplished mares in Oklahoma. We feel the best is yet to come.”

Sam Houston Race Park will present the following stakes on Saturday, June 14, beginning in race 3:
$50,000 Jesse Yoakum Memorial 870 Stakes
$50,000 Willie Hickman Memorial Stakes
$50,000 Sam Houston 250
$50,000 Sam Houston 550
$50,000 Governors’ Cup Marathon
$50,000 Miss Sam Houston Stakes
$77,525 Sam Houston Juvenile
$275,200 Sam Houston Derby(G3)
$700,000 Sam Houston Futurity(G2)

Father's Day Weekend Promotions
In addition to the racing action, Sam Houston Race Park has plenty in store for racing fans on the final night of the Quarter Horse racing season!

• Shoppa's - John Deere Day at the Races
• Lawn Mower Races after Races 2, 3 & 4 with the final following race 6
• Bourbon & Whiskey Tasting - From 6:30 to 9:30 pm on the Clubhouse Level with 15 Types of Bourbon and Whiskey to select from, including a Specialty Cocktail - Smoked Old Fashion
• Jockey Foot Race - We know how fast they are in the saddle; who will reign supreme on foot?

About Sam Houston Race Park
Sam Houston Race Park is Houston’s premier racing and entertainment facility, just 15 miles northwest of downtown Houston. Owned by Penn Entertainment Inc. (NASDAQ – PENN), the racetrack, which opened in 1994, offers a variety of attractions for businesses, group outings, and families during racing and the off-season. The track is best known for its award-winning dining. It features multiple areas for fans looking for casual to upscale dining options, including its Winner’s Circle Restaurant, Jockey Club, Luxury Suites, and Pavilion Centre. For more information or tickets to upcoming live racing, concerts, and events, please visit www.shrp.com or follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok or YouTube.

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