(Houston, Texas - Monday, January 26, 2026) - For an astonishing fifth straight running, and the 7th in the last 8 editions of the Houston Ladies, Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen was victorious as Perfect Shot came from well off the pace to register a half-length victory. Erik Asmussen was aboard the Whisper Hill Farm color bearer who completed the mile and a sixteenth in 1:46.09 over a sloppy track.

“She really thrived since coming down here last month,” Steve Asmussen said. “Her last workout was excellent and we had high hopes she could stack up with these.”

The early pace was contested by race favorite La Cara, who the public bet down to 9/5, and Standoutsensation, a winner of four straight who was made the 3rd choice at 4-1. Erik Asmussen kept Perfect Shot well off the rail and maneuvered her wide around the far turn.

“Erik got her into a great spot for the way the racetrack played today and we feel very fortunate to come out on top,” Steve Asmussen said.

Standoutsensation held on for second and Yes It Tiz rallied up the inside to be third. Mark Casse, trainer of La Cara, had indicated the connections’ desire for his filly to rate and the situation played out that way as she stalked the pace early in second.

Once Perfect Shot angled out on the far turn and straightened out in upper stretch she gathered plenty of momentum. At that point, Standoutsensation had repelled La Cara and opened up a clear advantage. The strapping 5 year-old chestnut daughter of 2017 Horse of the Year Gun Runner unleashed her late kick and was along in time.

Asmussen had 5 wins on the program, with sons Erik (3) and Keith (2) riding all of them. The family affair was in full effect in their home state. Erik added a stakes victory in the Chariot Energy Groovy earlier in the program. Asmussen is the winningest trainer in Sam Houston Race Park history and has now won the track’s signature thoroughbred race 7 times.

Too Much Kiki, La Cara, Queen Azteca and Take Charge Milady rounded out the field. Moonlight Gambler was scratched.