(Sunday, May 30, 2004) - Brimmerton was one of the most promising 2-year-olds in trainer John Buchanan's barn last year. He was the fastest qualifier for the 2003 Retama Park Futurity, but never left the gate and finished eighth. He had an identical experience at Lone Star Park last November, but tonight at Sam Houston Race Park, he changed that trend. On May 15, he was the fastest qualifier in trials for the $59,940 Bayer Legend Texas Challenge (G3) leaving Buchanan with the challenge of preparing for a final with a more fitting ending. Buchanan got that and more as the 3-year-old son of First Down Dash ran an impeccable race and captured the Grade 3 stakes this evening.

Rider Larry Payne had the return call and was impressed with Brimmerton's performance tonight. He completed the 400-yard stake in :20.093 and earned $29,970.

"He felt a lot better coming into the race," said Buchanan. "Larry told me he warmed up well and stayed calmer. We liked his draw and were happy he didn't get jammed in the middle."

"The colt ran an awful good race tonight," said Payne. "He broke a lot sharper tonight and ran straight and it made all the difference."

I Make Em Shake , winner of the 2003 TQHA Sires' Cup Futurity (RG2), ran second. Owned and bred by Betty Jo Spence of Orange, Texas, the gray son of Royal Shake Em, was closing gamely under rider Alvin "Bubba" Brossette.

"He ran a big race," commented Brossette. "He got away good and he beat a lot of good horses. I don't know that he could have won if he had been next to the winner. The winner ran a big race and you have to give him credit."

"He ran more like his old self," added Spence. 'He had a little trouble in the trials and still managed to qualify. All had a chance to win this race and fact that he ran second is a thrill. His next start will be in the TQHA Sires Cup Derby. I have his whole year mapped out just like I did last year."

Brimmerton, owned by Bobby D. Cox of Fort Worth, returned $4.80, $3.80 and $3.20. The exacta returned $32.40 and the trifecta with Sashay N Six paid $131.00. Mitowilard, Open for Sure, Hadtobenuts, Hooled on Run, MWS Fame, Jonathan Perry and Counting Sheep completed the order of finish.

$32,940 Professional Choice Texas Claiming Challenge

Earlier in the evening, fastest qualifier Five Mile Creek returned to action and won the final of the $32,940 Professional Choice Texas Claiming Challenge. Owned by Raul Rubalcava and trained by his 18-year-old son, Christian, the 5-year-old son of Strawfly Special drew off to a 1 ½ length win under rider James Brooks.

Five Mile Creek has run well this year, finishing third in the Manor Downs Maturity before winning his trial race here on May 14. He crossed the wire of the 350-yard event tonight in a time of :17.996.

"He didn't have a real good start in his last," said Brooks. "Tonight he got away cleanly and ran well."

Five Mile Creek, the even-money favorite, paid $4.00 to win.

Longshot Katrina Duncan with Rigoberto Vega aboard, ran second and Icy Romance overcame a poor start to close for third under Alvin "Bubba" Brossette.

Rubalcava indicated that Five Mile Creek will make his next start at Delta Downs.