Challenge


De Laurentis Stays Perfect, Sets Top Mark in John Deere SHRP Juvenile Trials
De Laurentis, under jockey Victory Urieta, Jr., setting the fastest qualifying time from four trials contested for the John Deere Sam Houston Juvenile on Thursday.

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De Laurentis Stays Perfect, Sets Top Mark in John Deere SHRP Juvenile Trials

HOUSTON, TX—MAY 20, 2021—De Laurentis, a $30,000 TQHA Yearling Sale graduate, got his second win in as many starts Thursday night while posting the fastest time for the John Deere Sam Houston Juvenile Challenge.

Coming off an impressive 1-¼ length win in his career debut, a trial for the Oklahoma Futurity(G2) at Remington Park, De Laurentis was just as impressive in the first of four trials Thursday night. Under jockey Victor Urieta, Jr., De Laurentis drove to a 1-½ length win while posting the top qualifying time of :17.881 seconds, a 91 speed index into an 8mph headwind.

Trainer Juan Diaz, Jr. saddled the son of champion American Runaway for owners Reynold Munoz and Heavy Hitters Racing.

"He showed to be smart in his training; caught on pretty quick," said Diaz. "We have high hopes for him in the final."

Bred in Texas by AQHA Racing Champion Breeder Bobby D. Cox, from the Invisible Injun mare Babe On The Beach, De Laurentis was the fourth fastest qualifier in the Oklahoma Futurity(G2) trials but did not run back in the final. He has earned $24,436.

Kas Shes Ec posted an impressive one-length win in the second trial to get the second-fastest clocking of :18.065 seconds, into an 8mph headwind. Also ridden by Victor Urieta, Jr., the daughter of second-crop sire Ec Jet One races for owner-breeder Francisco Javier Garza.

Trainer Juan Diaz, Jr. saddled the brown filly, out of Beaukas by Make It Anywhere, in her career debut. She earned $9,000 for the effort.

Dm Moonpie bounced off a trouble first start on May 6th to break his maiden in the third trial under jockey Luis Vivanco. Trainer Kie Mushinski saddled the son of second-crop sire Moonin The Eagle to the third-fastest clocking of :18.094 seconds, into an 8mph headwind.

A Texas home bred racing for owner Donna Mushinski, Dm Moonpie is out of the Prime Talent mare Dm Bella Mia. He has earned $9,050 in two starts.

The 10 fastest qualifiers will return Thursday, June 10th to vie for the winner's share of the $98,923 final. Also a stake is a berth to the $150,000-est. John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship October 23rd at The Downs at Albuquerque.

For a complete list of John Deere Sam Houston Juvenile Challenge qualifiers, times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.

Additional reporting by Martha Claussen.

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Sam Houston Race Park is Houston's premier racing and entertainment facility, located just 15 miles from downtown Houston. The Park offers a variety of attractions including our Suite Level featuring luxurious suites overlooking the race track and accommodating groups from 20 to 300 people, The Pavilion Centre, and award-winning dining options at the Winner's Circle Restaurant and the Jockey Club. For more information on upcoming shows, events and tickets, please visit shrp.com.