-photo by Sandra Beck/Coady Photography

-photo by Sandra Beck/Coady Photography

Houston, Texas (September 5, 2004) - My Victory Cup, ridden confidently by Danny Lavergne, won the first stakes race of her career, the $43,000 Governors' Cup Marathon tonight at Sam Houston Race Park. The 4-year-old filly is owned by J. Barton Crawford of Dale, Texas.

He purchased her three years ago at the TQHA Yearling Sale for $3,200.Tonight she defeated her seven male rivals and racked up her seventh career win tonight earning $25,800 for the stakes victory. Trained by Roy Roberts, My Victory Cup has had an impressive meeting at Sam Houston Race Park, winning four of her five starts here since May 22. Tonight, she broke from the far inside post, dueled with Seek N Destroy and closed with authority. She crossed the wire of the 870-yard stakes in a time of :45.204, earning a speed index of 101 this evening.

"She's turned out to be a really nice horse," said Lavergne. "I was in tight on the rail, maybe a little too tight. I had to come around (Seek N Destroy), but once she found her gear, I knew we had it."

Lavergne will ride against Hall of Fame rider, Pat Day this Friday at Sam Houston Race Park in a "Match Made in Heaven". The match race will benefit the Racetrack Chaplaincy of America. When asked if he was looking forward to his race against Day, Lavergne replied "it's going to be the highlight of my career."

"She was the only filly in the race, and I was a little worried," admitted Roberts. "But she knows her way around the hook and Danny knows her well."

Rider Mark Page was aboard runner-up Seek N Destroy, winner of the East Texas Distance Challenge at Delta Downs.

"My horse run a super race," said Page. "He got away excellent. And then for another filly to come around and beat me - she was much better. I couldn't have asked for a better race from (Seek N Destroy). That filly was just a little better. I came on top and cleared (My Victory Cup), but she came back around me."

Get Solid, winner of the 2003 Governors' Cup Marathon, finished third with jockey Joe Martinez riding for trainer Heath Taylor.

"He got away great and was in good position until the 5 came over in front of him," said Martinez. "When he got dirt kicked in his face he started climbing a bit. I was going to go around them at top of lane then saw the inside open up and took him there. He finally planed out by the eighth pole and got his best stride, but we couldn't catch the winner."

My Victory Cup, sent off as the second betting choice, returned $7.60 to win, $4.20 to place and $2.60 to show. The 1-4 exacta paid $36.40 and the 1-4-2 trifecta paid $96.40. Run and Pray, Zachs Hero, Heza Fast Star, Not Much Color and Worldly Warrior completed the order of finish.