(Sunday, August 4, 2002) - Tonight's card featured the finals of the $47,100 Sam Houston Maiden Classic. For the second year in a row, trainer Janet Van Bebber saddled the winner. Jess Perry Too under rider Alvin "Bubba" Brossette held off his eight rivals, crossing the wire of the 350 yard contest in a time of :17.706.

Teddy Abrams, Jr. of Houston is the owner of Jess Perry Too, the third fastest qualifier in trials run on Friday, July 19. Tonight's race was delayed as Sandeman, part of the entry from the barn of Kenneth Roberts, Sr., flipped in the gate and was scratched from the race. Neither Sandeman nor rider Gilbert Ortiz were injured. Brossette was asked if the delay prior to the race was a distraction for his colt.

"Fortunately, my horse was a little tense when he first walked in, so backing out actually helped us," said Brossette. "Once we got back in the gate, he got away good and got to the lead and from there he just eased it on in."

"We are very proud of this colt," said Van Bebber, who saddled three winners tonight at Sam Houston Race Park. "He came to our barn earlier this summer and we started him twice and have been blessed with two wins. We hope that trend continues."

Longshot Perk Em Down, who was the ninth fastest qualifier in trials, ran a solid race under Mark Page.

"It was very close there at the end," said Page. "My horse ran good and he left good. I tried to get out a little at the end. He broke perfect; I couldn't ask for a better break."

Unfortunately, luck was not on the side of fastest qualifier, Sargeanotherona trained by Duane Hartsell. The 4-year-old gelding stumbled badly at the break and finished fifth.

"He cut a quarter almost in two," said Hartsell. "He grabbed it when he left the gate obviously. He was bothered when that horse next to him flipped. He didn't want to go back into the gate after that and that was unusual for him. We'll take care of that foot, go back to drawing board and start over with him."

Jess Perry Too, sent off at odds of 5-1, paid $12.00 to win, $7.00 to place and $4.60 to show. The 8-2 exacta returned $184.60 and the trifecta with Midnitraintogeorgia paid $1,281.20. Completing the order of finish were High On Class, Sargeanotherona, First To Cash In, First Down Texas, Dozen Secrets and Simple Signature.

News and Notes
The $10,000-added Woodlands Stakes, which was scheduled for Saturday, August 3, will be run on Friday, August 9. All ten of Sam Houston Race Park's live races were cancelled on Saturday night when a severe thunderstorm knocked out power to a large area of northwest Houston.

Live American Quarter Horse racing resumes on Thursday, August 9 at 7:00 p.m. The Jiffy Lube Texas Music Revolution will present popular blues singer/songwriter Delbert McClinton following live racing on Friday, August 9.