(Monday, May 31, 2004) - Sam Houston Race Park concluded its exciting Memorial Day weekend with the running of the final two AQHA Challenge stakes, the $26,820 John Deere Texas Distaff Challenge (G3) and the $98,550 Ford Texas Juvenile Challenge (G2).

Over a fast track with a heat index of 102, Maid It Special lived up to her name as she drew off for the win, covering the 350-yards in :17.853.This was just the second career start for the 2-year-old filly, bred in Texas by Bob Weik. Trainer Dave Correll spotted her loping in a pasture and quickly convinced Brent Simmons of Sugar Land, that she would be a worthy purchase. She is now two-for-two and picked up a check for $49,275 for today's victory. Furthermore, she earned a berth into the $150,000 Ford Juvenile Challenge Championship on November 6 at Sam Houston Race Park.

"I'm very pleased," admitted Correll. "Back in February, I told Brent that we had a potential stakes horse. This was just her fourth trip out of the gate and she handled it like a pro."

Simmons, who has been involved in both Thoroughbred and American Quarter Horse racing for six years, was thrilled with her victory today.

"She's got an invitation in November and we're sure looking forward to that," admitted Simmons. "Dave gets all the credit; he raised her mother and does so well with all his horses; he's a great horseman."

Fastest qualifier, Hesa Special Corona, trained by Eddie Willis, reared up in the gate and ran tenth.

"He got a little anxious in gate and tried to leave 4 or 5 times before the gate opened," said rider Larry Payne. "He broke okay, but mid-way he shortened stride like he might have been 'stinging" in the front a bit. He wasn't the same colt tonight (as in trials), but that's two-year old Quarter Horse racing."

Longshot Man With Money, was second and Quick Kisses, a Janet Van Bebber-trainee, was third.

Maid It Special, sent off at 6-1, returned $14.60, $6.80 and $4.80 across the board. The 5-9 exacta paid $162 and the 5-9-10 trifecta returned $2,565.60. American Chickie, Bigtime Favorite, Some Cutie, Justiflied, Algonquin, Somebody Like You preceded Hesa Special Corona across the finish line.

Sixes Ms Perry Upsets $26,820 John Deere Texas Distaff Challenge

Sixes Ms Perry, owned by James H. Cordell of Crockett, Texas, was the upset winner in the $26,820 John Deere Texas Distaff Challenge (G3). The 3-year-old daughter of Mr Jess Perry is trained by Duane Hartsell and picked up her first stakes win this afternoon. Hartsell believed her to be one of the top horses in his barn last summer and shipped her to Ruidoso Downs to run trials for the All American Futurity. She ran ninth in her trail and did not qualify, but any disappointment from her 2-year-old campaign was erased today as she closed powerfully under rider J. R. Ramirez to capture the John Deere Texas Distaff Challenge.

"I always thought she was a great mare and could run a bunch at the end," said Ramirez. "In the trials, she ran kind of scared. Today, she stood pretty good in the gate and she left well and kept getting better and better. Last year she was just a little immature; we really believe she could run 440 yards."

"Last year we thought she was our superstar and everything went wrong," said Hartsell. "Her biggest problem was that she just couldn't get away good, but today, she broke very well and that's what happened."

Sixes Ms Perry, sent off at 7-1, paid $16.00 for the win. Tomorrows Headlines, the fastest qualifier from trials run on May 15, ran second under rider Mark Page.

"We got away real good, but she kind of slipped a little bit getting started," commented Page. "She ran a good race; a better horse beat her today."

First Raise, a stakes winner from the barn of Guy Hopkins, was third. Sing and Pray, Sr Razzmatazz, Carlotta Dream, Dancing O Toole, Perfect Punch, Apollos Darlin and Go You Must.