(Saturday, August 10, 2002) - Experienced Quarter Horse handicappers readily admit that the fastest qualifying time in trials is no guarantee of a win in the finals. That was indeed the case tonight at Sam Houston Race Park as the seventh fastest qualifier, Dashin La Jolla, emerged victorious in the $110,280 TQHA Sires' Cup Futurity (RG2).

The 2-year-old filly is owned and bred by Bob Weik of San Antonio, Texas, and was ridden to victory by Saul Ramirez, Jr. The daughter of Streakin La Jolla out of Dashin Angel has now won three of her four lifetime starts and earned $44,112 for tonight's stakes win.

Dashin La Jolla was very impressive tonight, closing powerfully, drawing away from her rivals in a time of :17.708. She earned a career best 95 speed index over the fast track.

"In the trials, she ran a little green at the end; we lost to the fastest qualifier," said Ramirez. "But tonight she ran very well and just went out and did her job."

"It's all in the breeding," according to trainer Dave Correll. "Her dam was a world champion who is now 22. She's had some nice colts over the years but we've been waiting a long time for a runner like this."

Runaway Go Getter under rider Gilbert Ortiz ran second. The 2-year-old son of Runaway Winner is owned and trained by Frank Cavazos.

"I thought both of us were going to break our maidens tonight," said Cavazos, who is seeking the first win of his training career. "I brought two down, qualified one for the maiden classic (ran second by a nose) and this one. Now my owners wanted me to bring some more so I have eight here. This one is paid up in the Dash For Cash at Lone Star so that is where we will go with him next."

Shake Em White was supplemented for the trials by owner Ricardo S. Vallejo following his win in the $260,500 Retama Park Futurity (G1). Jacky Martin, was in town to ride the gray colt, who was the second fastest qualifier in trials. After a good start, Shake Em White was caught by the closers and finished fourth.

"He didn't fire near as good this time," said Martin. "The inside of the track is not as good as the outside; the outside is deeper. I think he ran a good race, he just didn't get far in front of them tonight."

Dashin La Jolla was sent off at odds of 18-1 and returned $39.20 to win, $15.60 to place and $8.00 to show. The 9-10 exacta paid $159.00. Shes Jess Special completed the $2,662.60 trifecta. Completing the order of finish were Shake Em White, Hesa Lil Bit High, Boot Scootin Task, Shakem Elvis, Memories So Fine, Toast To The Man and First Dreamer.

Correll has not determined when Dashin La Jolla will make her next start.

$19,950 Colors of Houston Futurity

The first stakes of the evening featured 2-year-old Paints and the winner of the Colors of Houston Futurity was Intrinsic Danger, a 2-year-old filly that outkicked her nine rivals, winning the 350 yard stakes in a time of :18.399. Rider Alex Baldillez, Jr. rode her in the trials on July 28. She finished third in that race, and qualified seventh for the finals. Owned by Francisco Rene Villarreal of McAllen, Texas and trained by Beverly McNeely, Intrinsic Danger has now won four of her seven lifetime starts, including her second futurity stakes win.

"She stumbled in her trial and I saved her from running too hard," said Baldillez. "Even though she finished third in her trial, she ran well. She broke well tonight and had no traffic; she ran a great race."

There was a dead heat for second between Treasured Judy, who was the fastest of the 14 Paints qualifying in trials for the Colors of Houston Futurity and Imgonaring Dee Beall.

Intrinsic Danger, sent off as the second betting choice, paid $7.40, $2.60 and $2.40 across the board. The 1-8 exacta returned $12.20 and the $1-5 exacta paid $44.60. Completing the order of finish were High Noon Wrangler, Sheza Bad Jose, Chi Chi Mama, Bold Ego, Avenging Jet, Splash Bag and Heza Treasure Too.

Owner Villarreal indicated that Intrinsic Danger will make her next start in the Paint Futurity at Gillespie County Fair in Fredericksburg, Texas.

$45,500 Dixie Stallion Stakes Futurity

The $45,500 Dixie Stallion Stakes Futurity featured nine of the fastest qualifiers from trials run on July 25.

Texas-bred Amor Lijero was the fastest qualifier and emerged victorious in the finals this evening. Trained by Kenneth Roberts, Sr. and ridden by Eddie Cox, Jr., the 2-year-old sorrel gelding has now won three of his four career starts.. Despite an awkward break, Amor Lijero prevailed over a fast-closing WW Devil Woman, crossing the wire of the 350 yard contest in a time of :18.282. His victory tonight earned $18,220 for owners A & R Racing of Elgin, Texas.

"First of all, I would like to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ," said Cox. "This colt had a little difficulty getting ahold of the racetrack tonight, but at the end, he straightened out and finished well."

"This colt started out early this year showing a lot of talent," said Roberts. "He lost his first race and I was very disappointed, but he came back and won three in a row, so that makes it even more special."

Amor Lijero, the even-money favorite, paid $4.00 to win, $$3.40 to place and $2.40 to show. The 3-9 exacta returned $30.80 and the trifecta with Casey Special from the barn of Toby Keeton returned $77.00.

The rest of the field included Adelaides Secret, Rogers Comet, De Great Deal, Special Addiction, Moon Hankin Mama and Sheza Six Shooter.