Moment Of Fury winning off the inside rail under jockey Raul Ramirez, Jr., winning the $55,000 Harris County Stakes Friday night at Sam Houston Race Park.

© Coady Photography

HOUSTON, TX—MAY 14, 2021—In the second of five stakes on the Friday night card at Sam Houston, Moment of Fury paid bettors handsomely as the upset winner of the 550-yard, $55,000 Harris County Stakes.

Moment of Fury ($41.40) earned his first stakes win in the Harris County. He finished a half-length in front of the field and posted a time of 27.819 with a 96 speed index.

Moment of Fury was ridden by Raul Ramirez, Jr. for owner Rogelio Marquez, Jr.

After the race, Ramirez noted that, "He didn't break all that sharp, but after he passed the gap, he made a huge run. I put my trust in the owner and trainer; they told me he was ready.”

Winning trainer Hector Alcala noted that Moment of Fury had not competed at 550 yards before the night’s stake. "This is the first race for this horse at this distance, so we are very happy."

Though unseen on the track since 2019, the layoff proved to be no problem for the 5-year-old Fury of the Wind gelding who had shown talent early in his career. As a 3-year-old, he qualified for the 2019 Heritage Place Derby (G3). At two years of age, he competed in the Sam Houston Futurity (G2) and the Firecracker Futurity (G2) at Delta.

The winning connections of Moment Of Fury accept the Harris County Stakes trophy Friday night at Sam Houston Race Park. © Coady Photography

Moment of Fury was bred in Texas by Sarah Huskey, out of Moment of Epiphany, by Relagate. He is now four for 13 lifetime with $132,030 earned.

Second-place finisher Ten Sent made his first start at Sam Houston in Friday’s stake; the gelded son of Country Chicks Man frequently races on the Oklahoma circuit. Cordarelton Benn had the call for trainer Ty Remington.

Ten Sent was bred by Bullard Farms in Texas, out of the Jet Cartel mare Pink Cartel. He has 20 career starts and qualified to the Will Rogers Adequan Derby Challenge last fall.

Dm La Jolla Cartel completed the trifecta with Claudio Aguilar aboard. Donna Mushinski owns and bred the Favorite Cartel gelding; Kie Mushinski trains. The Texas-bred 5-year-old is out of Mary La Jolla, by Streakin La Jolla.

Dm La Jolla Cartel made his first start of 2021 in Friday’s stake. He is five for 18 lifetime and qualified to the Retama Park Derby in 2019.

Completing the field were One Sweet Merlot, Kiss My Annee GI, I Am Valiant, Struttinmyjewelsoff, Dak, Jax Louisiana Game and One Mighty Eagle.

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.