Quarter Horse Opening Day
April 19th, 2024
Apr 7, 2018

SLYNG SCHOTT IS FASTEST QUALIFIER TO THE $440,600 SAM HOUSTON FUTURITY(G2) AT SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK

Trainer Saul Ramirez, Jr. and Jockey Eddie Sanchez Qualify Two Finalists

Sam Houston Race Park hosted 13 trials for the richest race of the 2018 Quarter Horse Meeting, the $440,600 Sam Houston Futurity (G2).  

 

The eighth trial of the evening produced the fastest qualifier when Slyng Schott posted an impressive gate-to wire debut under rider Victor Urieta, Jr. covering 330 yards in :16.914 seconds. The track was fast and he earned a 92 speed index racing into a 15 mph head wind.

 

Bred by AQHA Champion Breeder Bobby D. Cox, the son of Ivory James out of the Strawfly Special mare A Shot At Glory was purchased at the Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale for $51,000 by Alfredo Garza.  Trained by Josue Ponce, the Oklahoma-bred colt was saddled by Abelardo Flores, Jr.

 

“We knew from the beginning that he was a special colt,” said Flores. ”Even on the walker, he moved better than any of our 2-year-olds. He’s been training well and we were not surprised that he ran this well tonight.”

 

That same trial produced the top two qualifiers as Moment of Fury, owned by Rogelio Marquez, Jr. ran second by a neck and crossed the wire in :16.938.  Luis Vivanco rode the gelded son of Furyofthewind for trainer Albert Solis. He was bred in Texas by Sarah Huskey.

 

Trainer Saul Ramirez, Jr. and jockey Eddie Sanchez had a big night qualifying two juveniles for the April 28th final. Dominyun Tee Off, bred and owned by Francisco Javier Garza, won the tenth trial in a time of :17.067 to set the third-fastest time of the evening. The colt is by multiple stakes sire Dominyun from the Burrs First Down mare First Down Tee. The duo also won the first trial with Cadillac Cash, by world champion sire FDD Dynasty, who was clocked in :17.074 for owner Rolando Morales.

 

Tempting Dash was the only stallion to produce two finalists. He sired fourth-fastest qualifier Fm Im A Zatanaz Too for owner Jose Fabian Hernandez and BMAQ Racing LLC’s Tempting Bye Dash, the ninth-fastest qualifier.

Leading first-crop sire Five Bar Cartel sired the 10th fastest qualifier ,Elite Five, from the A Regal Choice mare Significant Choice. Jimmy Padgett, II saddled with AQHA Racing Champion jockey Rodrigo Vallejo riding.

 

Patriotic Games, runner-up in the Grade 3 Harrah's Futurity at Louisiana Downs, finished second to Cadillac Cash in the first trial to get the 8th fastest time. The son of all-time leading sire First Down Dash is out of the Bob and Jerry Gaston's Game Patriot mare Miss Game Tee.

 

To view the complete list of the qualifiers, with owners, breeders, jockeys and trainers, click here. They will advance to the final which is set for Saturday, April 28. The winner will join a distinguished list of Sam Houston Futurity champions, which includes 2014 AQHA Champion 2-year-old colt, Kiss My Hocks; Azoom; Snowy Alibi, Sassmaster, Especially Tres and This Is An Eagle.

 

Sam Houston Race Park, Houston’s premier racing and entertainment facility, is located just 15 miles from downtown Houston, and offers a variety of attractions including 16 luxury suites overlooking the race track, The Pavilion Centre, and award-winning dining options at the Winner’s Circle Restaurant and Jockey Club.  For more information on upcoming shows, events and tickets, please visit www.shrp.com.

                                   

###

Sponsors