SEA PRINCE CLAIMS $14,500 MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT ALLOWANCE

AT SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2007 

            HOUSTON (December 30, 2007)—Stonerside Stables-owned colt Sea Prince ($5.80) and jockey Paul Nolan upset 3-1 favored horse Sherriff’s Choice to claim the $14,500 Maiden Special Weight Allowance, the night’s featured race at Sam Houston Race Park, on Saturday, December 29, 2007.

            The two-year old horse had a strong start out of the gate and managed to round the bend with turbo-like speed and find an opening on the home stretch of course with a near photo-finishing time of 1:11:98.  The horse barely nudged out Sherriff’s Choice to claim top honors. 

            Trainer Michael Stidham shared elated smiles and hugs at the winner’s circle with the horse and Nolan, remarking “that was some top speed tonight—like nothing I have seen you two do before!”

            The horse and jockey worked out at Hawthorne with some of the older horses and Nolan thinks that level of seasoned competition and training was beneficial in getting Sea Prince to perform tonight.  The pair has consistent racing history and recently raced at Fairgrounds with a less impressive result, however; Nolan stated “we reunited tonight and he had this fantastic spark.”

            Jockey Nolan has already claimed an impressive four stakes race wins this season, including the $100,000 Star of Texas Stakes, $50,000 Martanza Stakes, $50,000 Yellow Rose Stakes and the $28,500 Buffalo Bayou Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park.  In addition, Michael Stidham and Nolan were the winning pair behind the Star of Texas and Buffalo Bayou Stakes races and look to have a bright future for the remainder of the Thoroughbred meet.

            Final placement for the allowance race was Sea Price, Sherriff’s Choice and Repent Pardner.  The field included a total of 10 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.