(Houston, Texas - Saturday, March 24, 2012) - The first stakes of the 2012 Sam Houston Race Park American Quarter Horse meet featured a well-matched group of ten accredited Texas-bred 3-year-old fillies. Hot Tickin captured the first stakes of her career, drawing off in the $15,000 Silestone Stakes.

Bred in Texas by Roger Knight, Jr., the daughter of Hotdoggin is owned by Felipe Barron of Houston and trained by Jeff Acuna. Claimed last year for $5,000, the bay filly won at allowance at Evangeline Downs and finished the year with a fifth-place finish in the $75,000 Evangeline Downs Winter Futurity. Jockey David Alvarez picked up the mount, breaking from post position four and covering 330 yards in :16.583 seconds, a head in front of Pink Cartel.

Acuna has always been impressed with the diminutive filly, who earned a 104 speed index in her first stakes win.

"We're real happy," said Acuna. "Not a bad claim. We liked her breeding, and although she’s small, only 14 hands, she’s got a big heart. It's nice to come home to Houston and see such a nice crowd."

Pink Cartel, who won the $46,000 Dash for Cash Futurity Consolation last October at Lone Star Park, was second under Alfonso Lujan. She was making her second start of 2012 after competing in trials for the Oklahoma Derby trial on March 4 at Remington Park. B Z Amazing Grace ran third, followed by Massima, I B Zooming, BS Let Freedom Ring, Special Awards, Eyesa Royality and School Girl Fantasy.

Hot Tickin was sent off as the third choice in the wagering and returned $9.60 for the win.

J C Senior Seis Top Qualifier in Sam Houston Maiden Classic Trials

First time starter J C Senior Seis won the first of eight trials for the $66,300 Sam Houston Maiden Classic, covering 350 yards in :17.564. Owned by Eleazar Martinez, Sr. and trained by Yasmine Fierro, the daughter of Tres Seis drew off impressively in her career debut.  She was ridden to victory by Luis Vivanco, the leading rider from the 2011 Sam Houston Quarter Horse meet. Fierro had a breakthrough win last summer with Stones Puede, who won the $152,800 Sam Houston Derby.

Country Flying Chick was the second fastest qualifier, winning the sixth trial in a time of 17.630 seconds under rider David Alvarez.  The 4-year-old mare is trained by Mariel Guerra, Jr.

The trials were run on Thursday, March 22, opening night of the 2012 Sam Houston Race Park Quarter Horse meet. The ten fastest qualifiers will return for the finals on Saturday, April 7. To see a complete list of the top ten finalists, visit stallioneSearch.com.