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Regional Bank of America Racing Challenge Stakes Set for Thursday at Sam Houston Race Park
Sam Houston Race Park will host the John Deere Sam Houston Juvenile Challenge (G3) and the Adequan Sam Houston Derby Challenge on Thursday's race card.

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Regional Bank of America Racing Challenge Stakes Set for Thursday at Sam Houston Race Park

BY MICHAEL CUSORTELLI

HOUSTON, TX—JUNE 6, 2021—e Laurentis, an undefeated son of American Runaway and the fastest qualifier, heads a field of 10 2-year-olds entered back in Thursdays 350-yard, $103,598 John Deere Sam Houston Juvenile Challenge (G3) at Sam Houston Race Park.

A $30,000 purchase at last year’s Texas QHA Yearling Sale, De Laurentis is trained by Juan Diaz Jr. for owners Reynold Munoz and Heavy Hitters Racing Stables. The colt has earned $24,436 from two outs, and he made his local debut with a 1 1/2-length victory in the first of four Sam Houston Juvenile Challenge trials on May 20.

De Laurentis drew the rail post and will be ridden by Victor M. Urieta Jr.

The complete lineup, in post position order including jockey assignments:

  1. De Laurentis (Victor M. Urieta Jr.)
  2. CJ Classy Sassy Chic (J.R. Ramirez)
  3. Hes Jess Dealin (Pedro C. Espinosa)
  4. Kas Shes EC (Jorge J. Garcia)
  5. DM Moonpie (Luis Vivanco)
  6. Sign And Shine (Ali Rivera)
  7. Hot Dynasty Z (Claudio P. Aguilar)
  8. Wicked Eagle One (Jose I. Martinez)
  9. Miss Never To Late (Gaspar Garcia)
  10. Grandfreighttrain GL (Noe Villatoro)

Also on Thursday, a field of eight sophomores is entered in the 400-yard, $60,401 Adequan Sam Houston Derby Challenge.

Hot Lady Returns, a sorrel daughter of High Rate Of Return racing for Vanessa Bartoo, drew post 7 and will be ridden by Jose I. Martinez for trainer John Stinebaugh. The filly has earned $19,662 from eight outs, and her record includes a third-place finish, 1 3/4 lengths behind winner His Time To Deal, in last year’s 350-yard, $61,000 John Deere Retama Juvenile Challenge at Retama Park.

The complete lineup, in post position order including jockey assignments:

  1. Viva Le Merica (Luis Vivanco)
  2. Shezasecretknockout (Victor M. Urieta Jr.)
  3. Docs Favorite Wave (J.R. Ramirez)
  4. A Sweet Capo (Noe Villatoro)
  5. Flyin Kisser (Jorge J. Garcia)
  6. River Rat (Ali Rivera)
  7. Hot Lady Returns (Jose I. Martinez)
  8. Favorito (Rodrigo Vallejo)

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