HOUSTON, TX- The rain forced both of the Texas Preview Day Stakes off the turf , but the main track features produced some exciting finishes. That was certainly the case with Dust Em coming off a seven month layoff in the seven furlong  $82,000 David E. Hooper Stakes on Saturday afternoon at Sam Houston Race Park.
 
The 7-year-old son of Too Much Bling, bred by Douglas Scharbauer and owned by Carl R. Moore Management, LLC was making his 42nd career start and has been trained by Karen Jacks for two years. He ran fourth in last year’s edition of the race and won the Wayne Hanks Memorial Stakes on June 1 at Lone Star Park. Following two runner-up finishes last summer at Gillespie County Fair Grounds, Jacks turned him out with the intent of bringing the dark bay gelding back to Sam Houston Race Park.
 
“He was coming into this race fresh but had been working well,” Jacks explained.
 
Rider Floyd Wethey Jr. was content to let Dust Em settle at the onset of the race, but it was clear that his charge was fit and ready to gain on the leaders. Following a quarter mile run in :23.37 seconds, he advanced to third and was gaining ground as he hit the top of the stretch. He came briefly into contact with Victory for Vets, before drawing clear and crossing the wire in a final time of 1:23.86, winning by a margin of 1 ¼ lengths. A steward’s inquiry was lodged but no action was taken.
 
“It was a tough race,” said Jacks. “There was a little bit of excitement at the end, but it worked out!”
 
Dust Em was previously in the barn of Sarah Delany, a very popular Thoroughbred trainer in Texas and Louisiana. She was critically injured on February 7, 2024,  when she was kicked in the neck in a stall accident at Delta Downs. Delany recently alerted her many friends in the industry that her recovery is going well.
 
James Stodola’s Victory for Vets ran second with Jose Alvarez in the saddle. Purchased for $70,000 at the 2023 Texas 2-Year-Old Training Sale. The son of Tapiture, trained by Bret Calhoun, was named 2024 Texas Thoroughbred Association Champion 3-Year-old Colt/ Gelding.
 
Defending champion, Too Much Action, owned by the partnership of Jeff and Penny Scott, Bradley Thoroughbreds LLC, Danielle and Parker Ferguson, completed the trifecta for trainer J. R. Caldwell. 
 
Team Gormley ran fourth under jockey DeShawn Parker, followed by Rarotonga and Tigers n Bears. Proven Advocate was an early scratch as was Gold Pilot, who won the Houston Turf.
 
Dust Em, sent off as the fourth choice in the wagering paid 15.20 to win. His record improved to 13 wins from 42 stars and $493,247 in earnings.
 
Sam Houston Race Park renamed the $75,000 H-Town Stakes in 2024 to honor David E. Hooper, who passed away on May 29, 2023, following a courageous battle with cancer. The 88-year-old had an extensive career in the horse racing industry, which included serving as executive director of the Texas Thoroughbred Association from 1997-2012. Hooper was revered for his knowledge, outgoing personality and unsurpassed communication skills with racetrack administrators, breeders and horsemen in Texas and across the country.

About Sam Houston Race Park
Sam Houston Race Park is Houston’s premier racing and entertainment facility, located just 15 miles northwest of downtown Houston. Owned by Penn Entertainment Inc. (NASDAQ – PENN), the racetrack, which opened in 1994, offers a variety of attractions for businesses, group outings and families during racing and the off-season. The track is best known for its award-winning dining and features multiple areas for fans looking for casual to upscale dining options including its Winner’s Circle Restaurant, Jockey Club, Luxury Suites and Pavilion Centre. For more information or tickets to upcoming live racing, concerts and events, please visit www.shrp.com or follow on: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok or YouTube.

 
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Photos:  Jack Coady Photography