Challenge


Thirty-Six 2-Year-Olds Entered in John Deere Sam Houston Juvenile Challenge Trials
Sam Houston Race Park will host four trials for the John Deere Sam Houston Juvenile Challenge (G3) on Thursday.

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Thirty-Six 2-Year-Olds Entered in John Deere Sam Houston Juvenile Challenge Trials

BY MICHAEL CUSORTELLI

HOUSTON, TX—MAY 17, 2021—Thirty-six 2-year-olds, headed by De Laurentis, are entered in Thursday’s 350-yard John Deere Sam Houston Juvenile Challenge (G2) trials at Sam Houston Race Park.

The 5-2 morning-line favorite in the first of four heats, De Laurentis is trained by Juan Diaz Jr. for owners Reynold Munoz and Heavy Hitters Racing Stables. The American Runaway colt made his debut with a clear 1 1/4-length victory in a 300-yard Oklahoma Futurity (G2) trial at Remington Park on March 8.

De Laurentis was a $30,000 purchase at last year’s Texas QHA Yearling Sale. The colt drew post 5 and will be ridden by Victor M. Urieta Jr.

De Laurentis’ eight opponents in the first trial include Dewey Kendrick III’s Whatta Revenant. A $19,000 buy at last year’s Heritage Place Yearling Sale and a daughter of A Revenant, the filly will be stretching out in distance off of her neck victory in a 250-yard $27,000 maiden-special-weight dash for Texas-breds on April 23.

Whatta Revenant drew the rail post and will be ridden by Carlos Guillen Chacon.

The 10 fastest qualifiers will meet in the June 10, $50,000-added John Deere Sam Houston Juvenile Challenge final.

All Sam Houston Race Park races can be seen at Q-RacingVideo.com.