(Saturday, August 30, 2003) - Get Solid, ridden confidently by Gilbert Ortiz, overcame the far outside post position to win the $43,000 Governors’ Cup Marathon tonight at Sam Houston Race Park.

The 4-year-old gray colt is owned by Fred Yamaguchi of San Antonio and is trained by Heath Taylor. He has been impressive since he scored a ten-lenth win at Sam Houston Race Park last August and has finished first or second in his last seven starts. Ortiz, who will head out to Ruidoso Downs to ride Storybook Lover in the All American Derby on Monday, had a lot of confidence in Get Solid heading into tonight’s stakes. Despite drawing the far outside post position, Get Solid broke alertly and closed powerfully in the stretch, crossing the wire of the 870-yard stakes in a time of :45.265

"He left really good, stumbled in the first jump, but overcame that," said Ortiz. "Down the lane, he was just eating them up. He’s a tremendous horse."

"We knew that he had talent and could run 870," said Tracy Taylor, who saddled Get Solid for her husband, Heath.

"We took him out to Ruidoso and he ran second (on June 29) and we had this race picked out for him."

Streakin Carl, owned by David Vance, was the defending champion in the 870-yard stakes. The 7-year-old son of Streakin La Jolla is trained by Danny J. Eldridge and came into tonight’s race off a victory in the 2003 Rio Grande Handicap on August 17.

"Carl really doesn't like to run that early so he eased back," commented rider Nickey Laws. "I had to take him to the outside so they wouldn't shut him off. Then when we turned for home, he opened up on the fence. I guess we just couldn't outrun the gray horse (Get Solid)! He tried though and he ran his race."

Jockey John Hamilton had a tough call to make prior to the draw as he had ridden Streakin Carl, Special D Dash and Yawls Signature this meet. He opted for Special D Dash, also trained by Eldridge, but finished sixth tonight.

"I picked this one (of the other three he had ridden in their most recent start) because I know he is better than they are," stated Hamilton. " He left good and I felt we had them through the turn as he was on the bridle and in perfect position. Then as we came out of the turn he started backing off the bit and getting out and I knew we were in trouble."

Get Solid, returned $6.80 to win as the second betting choice. The 8-2 exacta paid $60.60 and the trifecta with Dashing Rio Doc, returned $270.00. The complete order of finish included Legacys Heartbeat, Yawls Signature, Special D Dash, Zachs Hero and Judes Mighty Dude.