(Saturday, August 17, 2002) - Devils Wrangler, a 5-year-old gelding owned by Saul Bejarano of Angelton, was a repeat champion as he captured the $16,400 TQHA Sires' Cup Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park. The Roy Roberts-trained gelding won the 400-yard stakes in a time of 19.95, besting his time of :20.050 set in last year's victory.

J. R. Ramirez had the mount, returning to the winner's circle following a victory aboard Devils Wrangler in the Stephen F. Austin Stakes on June 30. The Texas-bred gelding unleashed a powerful closing kick, surging past Turfinator, winning by a neck.

"He stood really well in the gates," said Ramirez. "I knew he was good but to beat a field as strong as this is really special."

Turfinator, owned by Kathleen Matey and trained by Jesse Yoakum, ran a big race, but was caught by the winner in the final strides.

"He broke super sharp," said rider Nicky Wilson. "They just caught me at the last few jumps. I rode his mama for Jesse [Yoakum] about 20 years ago. Jesse told me that this colt will leave just like his mama and sure enough that is exactly what happened. He left there running and they caught him. I wish we would have been going 350 instead of 400, because they just caught us until the last 50 yards."

Devils Wrangler, sent off as the favorite, paid $7.00 to win, $4.40 to place and $3.40 to show. The 8-6 exacta returned $251.20, and the trifecta with The Blazin Man paid $1,047.60. Roberts indicated that Devils Wrangler will make his next start at Lone Star Park.