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ST PATS FIRST WINS $24,250 STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STAKES AT SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK

Evening Featured First Stakes Race of the Meeting & Trials Along With Performance by John Michael Montgomery on Saturday, June 28, 2008

HOUSTON (June 28, 2008)—St Pats First earned a consecutive $24,250 Stephen F. Austin Stakes win on Saturday, June 28, 2008, at Sam Houston Race Park. St Pats First claimed the stakes race in the 2007 American Quarter Horse meet at The Park in 2007. 

The Saturday evening program, witnessed by more than 6,900 guests, featured 10 races including trials for the $40,000 + Bayer Legend Texas Derby and the $100,000 + Bank of America Texas Challenge Championship as well as the first stakes of the 2008 American Quarter Horse Meeting, the $24,250 Stephen F. Austin Stakes.

St Pats First returned to the winner’s circle for owners Jerry and Bob Gaston of Seguin, Texas, after a 10-month break.  The 5-year-old colt is trained by Heath Taylor and was ridden to victory by Gilbert Ortiz. This was the 17^th career start for the son of First Down Dash, who edged Painkiller, covering 350 yards in :18.19.

“Obviously, he ran a really super comeback race. We had a little issue with him last year that didn’t amount to anything, but Bob and Jerry always want to do what’s best for the horse,” commented Taylor. “We took the time to fix the problem and gave him a good, long rest. He’s matured and he’s a very sound horse with a good bill of health, and should have a really good year.”

He likes Houston and we like Houston,” added Gaston. “It was a pretty good time considering the [15 mph] head wind.”

Painkiller, a 3-year-old filly ran a game race under Rogelio Izquierdo, finishing with a time of :18.321.  

Jodys Funny Face, finished third under Dewey Smith, followed by Streakin On Bye You, Ida Snow Man, Surprisingly Special, Ronas Wind Dancer and Royal Killer.

Taylor and the Gastons were undecided about his next start saying “if something comes up that fits us, that’s where will go, but we’ll just let the horse tell us how he feels.”

Bank of America Texas Challenge Trial Results

Two trials were held for the Bank of America Texas Challenge this evening. Sassys Tuffy was the fastest qualifier, winning his trial in :21.989. The 4-year-old gelding is trained by C. Dwayne Gilbreath for owner Dawn Ivey. Rider Jose Amador Alvarez led the gelding to his first win of the year.

The finals of the $100,000+ Bank of America Texas Challenge will take place on Saturday, July 12.

 

Sam Houston Race Park
$100,000+ Bank of America Texas Trial
Trials:		Saturday, June 28, 2008
Final:		Saturday, July 12, 2008
Three-Year-Olds & Up 440 Yards
Horse	Jockey		Trainer	Qualifying Time
SASSYS TUFFY	JOSE AMADOR ALVAREZ		C. DWAYNE GILBREATH	21.989
REBA CLEATA	JUAN LUIS VAZQUEZ		STEVE GARRISON	22.078
DIAMOND TRES SEIS	ORTIZ GILBERT		M. HEATH TAYLOR	22.152
MISS KIPS STREAKIN	SANTOS CARRIZALES		EUSEVIO HUITRON	22.259
HAPPY STREAKER	RODRIGO SIGALA VALLEJO		EUSEVIO HUITRON	22.366
DULCE BYE N BYE	RUBEN G. FLORES		SALVADOR G. FLORES	22.403
WORK WORK WORK	OSCAR RINCON		RODOLFO SANCHEZ	22.484
THIS SNOW IS COLD	MANUEL GUTIERREZ		FRANK MENDEZ	22.557
DICTORIAL	CIPRIANO USCANGA VIDANA		MANUEL VEGA, JR.	22.561
CUERVO MAX	SALVADOR PEREZ		SHAE L. COX	22.576

*Track record: Invisible Injun :21.350 – October 8, 1994

Bayer Legend Texas Derby Challenge Trial Results

Dirt Track Date proved fastest overall for the Bayer Legend Texas Derby Challenge Trials, crossing the finish line in a time of :20.195. The 3-year-old filly is trained by L.R. Tooter Jordan for owners K.A. Norris and Peters Racing. Guiding the filly to victory was Gaspar Garcia.; The finals of the $40,000+ Bayer Legend Texas Derby Challenge will be held on Saturday, July 12.

 

Sam Houston Race Park
$40,000 + Bayer Legend Texas Derby Trial
Trials:		Saturday, June 28, 2008
Final:		Saturday, July 12, 2008
Three-Year-Olds & Up 400 Yards
Horse	Jockey		Trainer	Qualifying Time
DIRT TRACK DATE	GASPAR GARCIA		L. R. JORDAN	20.195
SHAZOOM DASHING	RODRIGO SIGALA VALLEJO		MANUEL VEGA	20.253
RACING STREAK	RODRIGO VALLEJO		THOMAS ZARATE	20.282
JESSIE O TOOLE	JUAN VAZQUEZ		JUDD KEARL	20.364
WOWZER WON	DAVID A. ALVAREZ		JESSE YOAKUM	20.382
VICTORY CORONA	SANTOS CARRIZALES		EUSEVIO HUITRON	20.481
CANCEL EM OUT	MANUEL GUTIERREZ		ALFREDO TRIANA	20.506
HONI AND SNOW	LUIS RAMIREZ		BRIAN STROUD	20.508
SEPARATIST BABY	GILBERT ORTIZ		M. TAYLOR	20.600
ESCONDIDO BEACH	GILBERT ORTIZ		JOHN BUCHANAN	20.639

 

*Track record: Azoom :19.574 – September 24, 2004