(Friday, November 21, 2008) - All American Futurity winner Stolis Winner, who qualified with the fastest time in trials for the Grade 1, $1.15 million Texas Classic Futurity to be run on Saturday, Nov. 29 at Lone Star Park, will not run in the race according to his trainer Heath Taylor.

Taylor had indicated on Thursday evening that Stolis Winner “does have a sore right ankle and we’re going to get a second opinion.

“We re-checked the horse today and got the second opinion,” explained Taylor today. “The horse is very happy, but considering the circumstances, what’s at stake, the quality of the horse and the gifts that he has given us already, it doesn’t make sense to take any chances. It would not be in the best interests of the horse, the owner (Jerry Windham), the industry or the jockey (G.R. Carter, Jr.).

“It’s a disappointment, but under the circumstances we need to give the horse a break,” added Taylor. “You can look at the positives or the negatives, but he gave and gave and gave.”

Stolis Winner has already won eight of nine races this year, including the Grade 1 All-American, Rainbow and Heritage Place Futurities and earned $1,789,467, the most by any two-year-old Quarter Horse in history.

“He’s already had nine really hard races against top quality horses,” said Taylor. “It’s still a very good year.”

Taylor indicated that the injury is “not career threatening” but that the timetable for Stolis Winner’s return is uncertain. “We will let the horse tell us when he is ready,” said Taylor.

Lone Star Park will host the Grade 1, $1.15 million Texas Classic Futurity, the richest race in Texas racing, and the Grade 1, $384,000 Texas Classic Derby on closing night of the 2008 Fall Meeting of Champions on Saturday, Nov. 29.

Lone Star Park’s 31-day, 2008 Quarter Horse Fall Meeting of Champions will be held from September 26 to November 29. After the opening weekend on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 26-27, racing will be held every Thursday through Saturday in October and each Wednesday through Saturday in November, except Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 26-27 when there will be no live racing due to the Thanksgiving holiday. First post time for all dates will be 6:35 p.m. For more information, visit the track’s Web site at www.lonestarpark.com.