Racing


Fear The Dragon Returns To Win $332,900 Sam Houston Derby(G3), San Lorenzo Scratched
Fear The Dragon, under jockey Rodrigo Vallejo, gets his first career stakes win in the Grade 3 $332,900 Sam Houston Derby Friday night at Sam Houston Race Park.

© Coady Photography
Fear The Dragon Returns To Win $332,900 Sam Houston Derby(G3), San Lorenzo Scratched

HOUSTON, TX—MAY 14, 2021—Fastest qualifier Fear The Dragon went off as the post time favorite to win the $332,900 Grade 3 Sam Houston Derby Friday night at Sam Houston Race Park.

Under jockey Rodrigo Vallejo Fear The Dragon drove down the inside rail while holding off Jess A Dashin Angela (23-1) to win by a neck. He completed the 350 yards in :17.745 seconds into a 5 mph headwind, earning a 95 speed index. It was the first career stakes win for the son of leading sire Favorite Cartel

Trainer Adrian Huitron saddled the winner for owner Jose J. Espinsoa.

"I want to thank the entire team for their hard work," Huitron said. "It's been a special month with qualifying for the Derby and Futurity. He's a very special Horse!"

A California-bred, Fear The Dragon has won five of 11 career starts. Second in the Speedhorse QH Futurity(G3) at 2, he was also a finalist in the Dash For Cash Futurity(G2) and Evangeline Downs Futurity(G3).

The winning connections of Fear The Dragon accept the Sam Houston Derby(G3) stakes trophy Friday night at Sam Houston Race Park. © Coady Photography
"We bought this horse at the Heritage Place Sale," Espinosa said after the race. "He ran in a couple of futurities and we wanted to bring him back to Texas which is home. This was a really good birthday for Adrian."

Bred by Rafter W Stables, from the Dean Mircale mare Hidden Dragon, Fear The Dragon earned $133,160 in the Sam Houston Derby to nearly double his earnings mark to $223,824.

Fear The Dragon is paid into the Grade 1 Texas Classic Derby to be run later this year at Lone Star Park.

Runner-up Jess A Dashin Angela ran the biggest race of career to earn $66,580 for second. The royally-bred daughter of Dash Master Jess is out of the Jet Black Patriot mare Mi Angela, a multiple stakes winning half-sister to leading sires Pyc Paint Your Wagon and Ivory James.

Rolando Almanza conditions the bay filly for owner-breeder Cesar Rosales. Rosales and Almanza teamed to race both the sire, Dash Master Jess, and the dam, Mi Angela. Ridden by jockey Luis Vivanco, Jess A Dashin Angela has earned $95,060.

Gianniy, under jockey Jorge Garcia, was another neck back in the blanket finish to earn $33,290 for third. Juan Diaz, Jr. saddled the son of One Famous Gianni for owner Manuel Reyes. Jose R. Espinosa bred Gianniy in Texas from the Moon Shake mare Chalinashake.

Multiple restricted Grade 1 winning millionaire San Lorenzo, who was the second fastest qualifier in the April 24th Sam Houston Derby trials, was scratched early Friday.

His connections reported he horse was distress early Friday morning and they feared colic. The horse was vanned him the the vet where he was treated and sent him home to owner's farm in Rosenberg, Texas. Owner Rogelio Marquez Jr said he was resting comfortably. The hope to point him at some derby's in Ruidoso later this summer.

Completing the Sam Houston Derby field were Tall Timbers, Blame The Fed, Special Mariposa, Fm Steel Rock, Jesslightninglegs and Ojd Chavela J.

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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.