Second straight TTA Oaks win for trainer Jayde Gelner
March 22, 2026
March 22, 2026
Press release
SECOND STRAIGHT TTA OAKS WIN FOR TRAINER JAYDE GELNER
Liteupthenite completed a last-to-first rally to win the Texas Thoroughbred Association Oaks presented by LOPE. Lagging nearly 12 lengths off the pace after a half-mile in :47.72, the daughter of Aurelius Maximus commenced a rally while staying on the rail. She angled out in upper stretch and gradually wore down the embattled leader, Tiz A Ten I See, in the final furlong. The win marked the second straight TTA Oaks for trainer Jayde Gelner, who won it in 2025 with Tapitures Actor.
“We had this race penciled in as soon as we bought her,” Gelner said. “We thought she’d fit well going two turns and we’d been begging to run her long.”
The Norman Stables color bearer was purchased at the TTA Yearling Sale in 2024 for $15,000 and ran second in the TTA Sales Futurity of 2025 behind Lanaluah. Gelner expressed no concern about how far back she was early in the race and noted that a wide trip dogged her last time out at Fair Grounds.
“She had some excuses last time out and comes from behind because she doesn’t break well,” he said. “But she knows to come running when the money is on the line.”
The chestnut filly’s final margin of victory was a length and a quarter and she returned $13.20 to win.
Tiz A Ten I See was a strong second as the lone survivor of a strenuous early pace. Dispatched as the race favorite at 4/5, she made the lead but faced pressure throughout before being overhauled by the eventual winner in the stretch.
Kiss My Dice wound up third while Lanaluah, Mrs Shirley, Tiffany Tap and Shinovar completed the field.
The 2026 TTA 2 year-old in training sale will be held on April 1 at Lone Star Park. The under tack show is scheduled for March 30. Among the horses catalogued are juveniles by first crop sires such as Early Voting and Epicenter. For more information click here.
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.
“We had this race penciled in as soon as we bought her,” Gelner said. “We thought she’d fit well going two turns and we’d been begging to run her long.”
The Norman Stables color bearer was purchased at the TTA Yearling Sale in 2024 for $15,000 and ran second in the TTA Sales Futurity of 2025 behind Lanaluah. Gelner expressed no concern about how far back she was early in the race and noted that a wide trip dogged her last time out at Fair Grounds.
“She had some excuses last time out and comes from behind because she doesn’t break well,” he said. “But she knows to come running when the money is on the line.”
The chestnut filly’s final margin of victory was a length and a quarter and she returned $13.20 to win.
Tiz A Ten I See was a strong second as the lone survivor of a strenuous early pace. Dispatched as the race favorite at 4/5, she made the lead but faced pressure throughout before being overhauled by the eventual winner in the stretch.
Kiss My Dice wound up third while Lanaluah, Mrs Shirley, Tiffany Tap and Shinovar completed the field.
The 2026 TTA 2 year-old in training sale will be held on April 1 at Lone Star Park. The under tack show is scheduled for March 30. Among the horses catalogued are juveniles by first crop sires such as Early Voting and Epicenter. For more information click here.
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.