INAUGURAL AULD LANG SYNE ALLOWANCE RACE EARNS NUTTYBOOM TOP HONORS AT SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK ON


MONDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2007 

            HOUSTON (December 31, 2007)—Seven-year old Gelding Nuttyboom ($7.60) and jockey Jorge Guzman took top honors in the inaugural Auld Lang Syne $22,000 Allowance race at Sam Houston Race Park on Monday, December 31, 2007. 

            He beat out 3-1 favored horse Crosstown, who finished in sixth place, and second place horse Probation Ready on the six furlong course by one furlong with a winning time 1:09:87.  The horse is owned by Carey Noteboom and trained by Ralph R. Irwin.  Nuttyboom claimed a total win of $13,200 from the allowance race.

            “This horse has had a rough time racing up until now,” stated trainer Ralph Irwin.  “Following the Retama win from September, this was his fastest course time.  The shorter distances like tonight’s race are better for him.”

            Jockey Guzman remarked that the win was due to the work Irwin has done with the horse lately.  He also added that he felt good about their chances for the win from the time they got into the starting gate and took off down the course.  When asked about tonight’s win and his current standing as the top jockey for the Thoroughbred meet, Guzman simply replied, “I just keep getting lucky!”

            Guzman continues to hold the top position with 146 starts, 25 first place wins and a win percentage of 17% to date.

            The Auld Lang Syne Allowance was open to horses age 3 and up.  The race was part of the evening’s Inaugural Zoom & Boom New Year’s Eve Celebration which included a card of 10 Thoroughbred races, live entertainment and a fireworks display to ring in the New Year.

            Final placement for the allowance race was Nuttyboom in first, Probation Ready in second and third place for Snuck By.  The field included a total of 7 horses.

            Live Thoroughbred racing continues with races every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in January at Sam Houston Race Park.  The Thoroughbred meet will conclude on Saturday, April 5, 2008.  For more information, please visit www.shrp.com.