HOUSTON, TX—JUNE 10, 2021—No trials were run for the in the 400-yard, $60,401 Adequan Sam Houston Derby Challenge but the heavy favorite, Five Puig Racing LLC’s homebred Shezasecretknockout, more than lived up to her name.

Bred in Oklahoma by her owners, the daughter of Hez Our Secret out of the Tres Seis mare, Adolph Tres Knockout broke her maiden here on May 21. She turned it up a notch today, and ran a very professional race for trainer Juan Diaz, Jr.

With regular rider Victor Urieta, Jr. in the irons, the gray filly left the gate in front of her seven rivals and never relinquished her lead. She covered 400 yards in :20.293 seconds, earning a 96 speed index.

"She ran exactly as we expected," said Diaz.

Shezasecretknockout ($3.40) will represent Texas in the Adequan Derby Challenge Championship on October 23 at the Downs of Albuquerque.

"She woke up as a 3-year-old," added owner Larry Puig, from Laredo, Texas. "This will be our first time running in a Challenge final and we are excited about running her in New Mexico!"

River Rat, a son of multiple stakes sire Ivory James, picked up $12,382 for finishing second. Hector Alcala trains the Oklahoma-bred gelding for LA Racing Stables LLC. Ali Rivera had the riding call. Russel and Amanda Hadley bred River Rat from the Horse Greenly (TB) mare Oh My Tatum (TB).

Vanessa Bartoo's Hot Lady Return earned $6,040 for third. John Stinebaugh conditions the High Rate Of Return filly out of Hotesticketintown, by Jody O Toole. The multiple stakes-placed filly bred by CNN Breeding was third in the Sam Houston Juvenile Challenge(G3) last season. She has earned $25,702. Jose Martinez was riding.

Docs Favorite Wave, A Sweet Capo, Favorito, Viva Le Merica, and Flyin Kisser completed the field.

Racing This Weekend at Sam Houston Race Park

Post time has been moved up to 6:05 pm (CT) for Friday and Saturday’s 12-race cards. The Saturday, June 12th program will feature six stakes races including the $106,000 Texas-Bred Championship and the $81,000 Jesse Yoakum 870 Stakes named in honor of the late Quarter Horse trainer Jesse Yoakum.

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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.