Racing


Black Cazador Squeaks To First Stakes Victory In $55,000 Sam Houston Stakes
Black Cazador (#8), under jockey J.R. Ramirez, drives to victory in the $55,000 Sam Houston Stakes Friday night at Sam Houston Race Park.

© Coady Photography
Black Cazador Squeaks To First Stakes Victory In $55,000 Sam Houston Stakes

HOUSTON, TX—MAY 14, 2021—Leading jockey J.R. Ramirez got Black Cazador (45-1) up at the wire to defeat Wagons Dash by a nose in the $55,000 Sam Houston Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park on Friday. My Fast Prize was a neck back in the blanket finish to take third.

"I had never ridden Black Cazador before," jockey Ramirez said after the win. "He was on the muscle and I couldn't tell we had won until the photo came up. It's great to ride for my brother (trainer Saul), he trusts me and I trust him."

Racing for owner-breeder Raul Rubalcava, Black Cazador completed the 400 yards in :17.686 seconds, equaling a 96 speed index. Saul Ramirez, Jr. saddled the son of former world champion and multiple stakes sire Oak Tree Special to his fifth career win. He earned $33,300 for the effort.

"We've had him for a year," Ramirez, Jr. said. "He's a nice horse, but a handful in the paddock. We thought he had a chance, but didn't think he'd go off at 40-1!"

The winning connections of Black Cazador accept the Sam Houston Stakes trophy Friday night at Sam Houston Race Park. © Coady Photography
Ramirez, Jr. said the horse may be pointed at the Grade 1 $100,000 Sam Houston Classic next.

The 5-year-old Oklahoma-bred, out of Miracle Hook by Shazoom, has compiled a (20) 5-4-4 record and banked $109,596. Black Cazador was third in the Sam's Town Stakes in his last start December 12th at Evangeline Downs.

"Having our family together means the world to us," jockey J.R. Ramirez said in the winner's circle. "We travel together - we've seen Paulina (rode the winner of the Governors' Cup Marathon stakes earlier on the card) grow since she was a baby; it's a real honor for us to see her do so well."

Black Cazador returned $91.80 to win, $30.80 to place and $9.60 to show.

Making his first start since a third-place finish in the Evangeline Downs Derby on December 12th, Wagons Dash earned $112,100 for his second-place effort. Eric Long named jockey Everardo Rodriguez to ride the 4-year-old son of leading sire Pyc Paint Your Wagon.

Racing for owner Edward Scott and bred in Oklahoma by Flag Ranch LLC, Wagons Dash has won five of 15 career starts and earned $122,848. Out of the Fishers Dash mare Breitling Time, Wagons Dash was also second in the Dash For Cash Derby(G2) and Jack Brooks Stakes last season.

Ruse Ranch LLC's My Fast Prize earned $6,105 for third. Adrian Huitron named Nestor Duran to ride the Texas-bred son of leading sire Mr Jess Perry from the Corona Cartel mare Coronas Fast Prize. A finalist in the All American Futurity(G1) and Texas Classic Futurity(G1) at 2, My Fast Prize was second in the All American Invitational Stakes at Ruidoso Downs last season. Bred by Weetona Stanley, he has earned $235,045.

Mp Shinning, SS Classyjess, Inaugurator, FM Zantanas D, Watch Him B, Jess B One and Jess A Fast Rouge completed the field.

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.