(Saturday, August 24, 2002) - Dashing Obsession powered past her six rivals in commanding fashion, capturing tonight's feature race at Sam Houston Race Park, the $19,200 Bluebonnet Stakes. The 3-year-old filly is owned and bred by W. A Darling of Opelousas, Louisiana and trained by Richard L. Smith. Rider Alvin "Bubba" Brossette was in the irons, crossing the wire of the 440 yard race in a time of :21.702. This was the first win of the meeting for the daughter of Mr Jess Perry, but she ran an impressive second in the finals of the $54,990 Bayer Legend Texas Challenge on August 11.

"The Thoroughbred breeding helps her," commented Brossette. "She really likes the extra distance."

"Her mama's out of a Dash For Cash mare and that's good breeding," added Smith. "We'll give her a little rest before her next start this fall at Louisiana Downs."

Style With Substance, a 4-year old filly owned by Joe Kirk Fulton and trained by Lewis Jordan got off to a flying start under Martin Rubalcava. Her early speed carried her to the lead until the fast-closing winner caught her to win by a neck.

"I think she can run the 440 pretty good, but she got a little tired today because that was her first time she ran this far," said Rubalcava. "She will run better next time. She did a great job."

Countin on Jody, a 5-year-old mare trained by Leonard Reese, completed the trifecta.

"She was pulling against the "rig" (flipping halter) and didn't get away like she usually does," said rider Raul Ramirez, Jr. "Those other two got a big jump on her. Once she started running we were gaining a little but they had too much of a start for us to catch them."

Dashing Obsession paid $3.60 to win, $2.80 to place and $2.20 to show as the heavy betting choice. The 4-1exacta returned $18.40. The 4-1-7 trifecta paid $45.00.

News and Notes- Gotabenuts Records Fastest Qualifying Time in Trials for The Sam Houston Derby

Sam Houston Race Park hosted trials this evening for the $95,000 Sam Houston Derby. A total of 25 3-year-olds competed in three trial races and Gotabenuts, trained by Heath Taylor and ridden to victory by Gilbert Ortiz, was the fastest qualifier, completing the distance of 440 yards in :21.663.

The 3-year-old Texas-bred colt is owned by Marilyn & James E. Helzer and has won three of his last five starts.

"He showed a lot of talent when we first began training him," said Taylor. "He was a little green and had a bad break at the Retama Park Derby. He lost a shoe but still ran fourth. We were very impressed when he finished second against older horses in the Classsic Chevrolet stakes last month at Sam Houston. He's a big strapping colt and just keeps getting better."

Gotabenuts will take on the other nine finalists, including 2001 Sam Houston Futurity champion, Shining Sky, who qualified for trainer Beverly McNeely and rider Eddie Cox, Jr. in a time of :21.736. The Sam Houston Derby will be run on Sunday, September 7, the final day of the 2002 Sam Houston Race Park American Quarter Horse Meeting.

Qualifiers for the $95,000 Sam Houston Derby

HORSE	JOCKEY	TRAINER	QUALIFYING TIME
Gotabenuts	Gilbert Ortiz	Heath Taylor	:21.663
Backed By Speed	J. R. Ramirez	Bobby Martinez	:21.681
Shining Sky	Eddie Cox, Jr.	Beverly McNeely	:21.736
Swilken Burn	Martin Rubalcava	Rodolfo Sanchez	:21.835
Get Down Red	Mark Page	Joe Manucy	:21.865
Spark A Fortune	J. R. Ramirez	Duane Hartsell	:21.885
Roses Down	Martin Rubalcava	Rodolfo Sanchez	:21.888
Hotdoggin	Gilbert Ortiz	Heath Taylor	:21.888
Gray Invasion	Mark Page	Tommy Zarate	:21.904
Diamonds For Toni	Eddie Cox, Jr.	Ronald Gilmer	:21.913