-photo by Coady Photography

Houston, Texas (June 20, 2004) - Trials were held tonight at Sam Houston Race Park for the $52,280 TQHA Sires' Cup Derby (RG3) and $134,748 TQHA Sires' Cup Futurity (RG2).

There may be some history in the making as the winner of the 2003 TQHA Sires' Cup Futurity, I Make Em Shake won his trial race and was the fastest qualifier for the $52,280 TQHA Sires' Cup Derby. Owned and bred by Betty Jo Spence of Orange, Texas, the gray son of Royal Shake Em, completed his trial in a time of :19.918; the fastest of the 35 three-year-olds competing for the top ten spots in the finals set for Saturday, July 3.

Regular rider Alvin "Bubba" Brossette had the mount for trainer Philip Calais, Jr. and returned to Sam Houston Race Park following his second place effort in the $59,940 Bayer Legend Texas Derby Challenge here on May 30.

"He ran a non-strenuous race," said Brossette. "He's a little more fit now and he did it comfortably."

"We shipped him in early on Friday morning," said Spence. "He knows the routine and starts getting antsy after two weeks. He's really matured and has stayed sound. He is such a pleasure to be around and even more beautiful than last year. Much of the credit goes to Philip Calais. Wouldn't that be something to have the fastest time last year and this year and win both finals?"

No Tools Required was the only previous American Quarter Horse at Sam Houston Race Park to accomplish that feat, winning the TQHA Sires' Cup Futurity in 2001 and the Derby in 2002.

I Make Em Shake and the other nine qualifiers will return to Sam Houston Race Park for the finals of the TQHA Sires' Cup Derby on Saturday, July 3.

Sam Houston Race Park $52,280 TQHA Sires' Cup Derby Trials

Trials: Sunday, June 20, 2004
Final: Saturday, July 3, 2004

THREE-YEAR-OLDS 400 Yards