Challenge


Multiple Stakes Winners Compete in Trials Saturday for Bank of America Texas Challenge
Adequan Derby Challenge Championship winner Daytona B will start in the Bank of America Texas Challenge Championship trials on Saturday at Sam Houston Race Park.

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Multiple Stakes Winners Compete in Trials Saturday for Bank of America Texas Challenge

HOUSTON, TX—MARCH 23, 2015—There are 17 stakes on the 2015 American Quarter Horse Stakes schedule and Sam Houston Race Park will once again participate in the Bank of America Racing Challenge, the richest and most successful program in American Quarter Horse racing today.

On Saturday night, there will be two trials for $100,000 Bank of America Texas Challenge Championship (G1) and several notable runners will compete at the "classic" distance of 440 yards, for one of ten spots in the final.

The first trial, to be run as race seven, drew six runners, including two from the barn of Leslie Padilla. Texas Classic Derby champion, Lil Famous Dash, will break from post position six under last year's leading rider, Rodrigo Vallejo. Owned and bred by Scarlett Hill Farm LLC, the 4-year-old mare will make her Sam Houston debut on Saturday night. Kathleen O. Matey's homebred Pyro, ran second in the 2015 Bank of America Texas Challenge and ships to Houston fresh off a stakes win on March 3 at Hialeah Park.

Trainer Rolando Almarza will saddle Daytona B, a 4-year-old son of First Down Dash, who ran second in the 2014 Sam Houston Derby last April. He qualified for the Adequan Derby Challenge last September at Prairie Meadows and won the $200,000 Adequan Derby Challenge Championship on October 18. The powerful Texas-bred, owned by Gregorio Garcia Garza, ships to Houston off a two-race win streak at Hialeah Park near Miami, and is currently ranked fifth on the weekly AQHA/HorsePlayernow.com Top Ten Poll.

"He handled the trip to Hialeah real well," said his conditioner. "All we want on Saturday night is for him to qualify, but this horse always gives his all. His big advantage is the way he breaks from the starting gate."

In the second trial, multiple-stakes winner The Lizzard King, Ajax Downs shipper Feature My News and Big Dashing Perry top the seven-horse field. Bobby Martinez trains Big Dashing Perry, a 4-year-old son of Mr Jess Perry, owned by Grant Farms LLC, Tommy Hays and Bobby Barnett. He won the Firecracker Futurity in 2013 and had a strong campaign last year, posting the fastest qualifying time in the $1.9 million All American Derby (G1) at Ruidoso Downs, and finishing fourth in the final. Martinez will give a leg up to jockey Saul Ramirez, Jr. in the second trial.

"He's doing well," said Martinez. "We were hoping to have a little more time to get him ready for the Bank of America. Our goal is to just get him qualified on Saturday night."

The ten fastest qualifiers will return for the final on April 18 and the winner will represent Sam Houston Race Park in the $350,000 Bank of America Challenge Championship.

Josh Abbott Band Opens Spring Concert Series at Sam Houston Race Park

The 2015 American Quarter Horse Meet will feature the entertaining post-race concert series announce the 2015 Post Race Concert Series on the Bud Light stage, will take place most Saturdays beginning on March 28 and concluding on May 16. These live performances are free with $7 live racing admission before 8 pm, and $20 after 8 pm. Tickets purchased on line in advance are just $14 for after 8pm entry. The following performers will follow the last of 10 Quarter Horse races each evening.

  • March 28 - Josh Abbott Band
  • April 11 - Easton Corbin
  • April 18 - Roger Creager
  • May 1 - Jason Boland and the Stragglers
  • May 9 - Casey Donahew Band
  • May 16 - Cody Johnson* - Special Concert on Preakness Day also featuring Cory Morrow and Gary P. Nunn

*This concert will start at 6pm.

Tickets are available online at www.shrp.com, at participating Houston-area Randall’s locations, or by calling 800-211-3381.

Post times for the 2015 Quarter Horse Meet are set for Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 6 p.m. Special 1 p.m. post times are set for Saturday, May 2 (Kentucky Derby); Sunday, May 10, (Mother's Day); and Saturday, May 16,( Preakness), the final day of the meet.

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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.