(Grand Prairie, Texas - Saturday, September 22, 2012) - When the gates kicked open it was Denis & Julie Schoenhofer's First Klas Fred, trained by Cindi Keeton, who was first out and lead the way to victory in the 15th Running of the $20,000 Classic Chevrolet Heartbeat of America Stakes over a fast track at Lone Star Park Saturday night.

Ridden by Luis Vivanco, the five-year-old bay son of Fredricksburg, lead gate to wire outrunning his five rivals stopping the teletimer in 17.187, setting a new stakes record and just missing the track record of :17.135 by .052 seconds, set by Classic Sassy Chic on November 2, 2002.
The effort earned a speed index of 105. It was three-quarters of a length back to Executive Prince in second, and nose back to third-place finisher The Field Cricket.

This was the second win for First Klas Fred in the Classic Chevrolet Heartbeat of America Stakes and the first for his new trainer, Cindi Keeton. "He's a good booger," exclaimed Toby Keeton, husband of winning trainer, Cindi. First Klas Fred won this race last year for Heath Taylor, who of note also trained his sire, Fredricksburg to a win the event in 2006.

With tonight's win, First Klas Fred improved his race record to six wins from 24 starts and with the $12,600 winner's share of the purse increased his earnings to $554,133.

First Klas Fred paid $12.00, $4.40, $4.20; runner-up Executive Prince returned $6.40, $4.20, and The Field Cricket paid $4.20 for show. Sunny D, Acorn and Jump Down Azoom completed the order of finish.

On The Track

More live racing action Thursday, Friday and Saturday, September 27-29. There are several featured races of the week, two stakes on Friday, September 28, The third running’s of both the Red Cell Distance Challenge for 3-year-olds & up at 870 yards and the Merial Distaff Challenge for fillies and mares, 3-year-olds & up going 400 yards. On Saturday the Dash for Cash Juvenile Stakes, plus the finals for both the Dash for Cash Derby and Dash for Cash Futurity.

At The Bar & Book

Join us each Monday through Friday from 4-7 p.m. for Happy Hour. Included are $3 well drinks and $2 select domestic drafts!

Thursday nights at the Bar & Book come play in the World Poker Tour Amateur Poker League. Two sessions each Thursday, 7 and 9:30 p.m. and it’s free to play! Mutuel vouchers awarded weekly, monthly and annually.

Join us on Friday, September 28 for Opening Day at Santa Anita Park. Star Player Rewards members will receive 1,000 Bonus Points when you wager at least $1 using your Star Player Rewards card that day!

Free handicapping seminar at 10:30 a.m. in the Bar & Book Saturday, September 29, featuring Track Announcer, John Lies. John will give you expert analysis and insights into Santa Anita Park's Opening Weekend! Don't miss it!

Have tickets to the big game? Ride the Bar & Book Express to all Dallas Cowboys home games this season! Bus will depart 1 hour and 2 hours prior to kickoff and costs just $10 to ride or is free with $20 minimum food & beverage purchase. Watch, wager and win on the races and enjoy NFL Sunday Ticket all day every Sunday! Don't miss it!