(Friday, August 6, 2005) - Eleven trials were run this evening at Sam Houston Race Park in preparation for the richest race of the 2005 Quarter Horse Meeting, the $351,900 Sam Houston Futurity (G1).

All American Winner, owned by Jason Eberle and Rosendo Guzman, was the fastest of the 102 horses entered in trials. Ridden by Rodrigo Vallejo, All American Winner won the third trial of the evening in a time of :20.021. He was making his first start since competing in the TQHA Sires’ Cup Futurity on August 13 where he finished third, but was placed fifth after lugging in and causing interference. Trainer Alex Villarreal was pleased with the bay gelding’s performance this evening.

"He's a 440 horse, definitely,” said Villarreal. “He'll go 440 yards which he'll have to do in the Texas Classic. Our plans here are to take it easy with him, keep him sound and hopefully bring him back as strong as we can."

Jess Genuine, a sorrel filly bred and owned by Bobby D. Cox won the second trial of the night, crossing the wire in :20.056. This was the fourth consecutive win for the daughter of Mr Jess Perry, who captured the Grade 1 Retama Park Futurity on June 19. Alex Baldillez, Jr. has been her regular rider and both he and trainer John Buchanan liked what they saw tonight.

“She ran real good,” commented Baldillez. “We were just hoping to get a good effort tonight. She’s a nice filly. She scrambled a little leaving, but it didn’t take her long to get going.”

“She looked like she got a good hold of the track and did it easy,” added Buchanan. “She had a nice horse (Primetime Dream) run next to her. We gave her two works since her win at Retama and did what we thought she could do.”

Sam Houston Race Park leading trainer Janet Van Bebber qualified three for the final including the third fastest runner, Ali the Great who won his trial in :20.109. Alvin Brossette piloted the son of Strawfly Special to his second win of the meeting.

"He was out in front and ran a good strong race all the way,” commented Brossette. “He ran nicer than he's been showing and he just hadn't put it all together. He's kind of coming to himself a little bit. He's a big strong horse and almost a little too big for his age and I think that's why it's taking him a little while to come to himself."

Van Bebber, who also qualified Austin on My Mind and Shazoomer, has praise for the effort of Ali the Great.

"I thought this colt would like this distance; he's a very long-striding colt,” said Van Bebber. “He's been kind of immature acting but tonight he looked like he put it all together and I was really proud of him."

The ten fastest qualifiers will return to Sam Houston Race Park on Friday, September 9 to compete in the finals of the $351,900 Sam Houston Futurity (G1). The final weekend of the 2005 Quarter Horse Meeting will also feature the running of the $111,400 Sam Houston Derby on Saturday, September 10.

Sam Houston Race Park
Sam Houston Futurity Trials
Trials: Friday, August 26, 2005
Final: Friday, September 9, 2005
Final Purse - $351,900
TWO-YEAR-OLDS - 400 Yards

Track Record: Azoom :19.57 - September 24, 2004