(Houston, Texas - Saturday, April 14, 2012) - Trainer Eusevio Huitron is no stranger to developing champion Quarter Horses. Tonight at Sam Houston Race Park he unveiled a rising star when Sassmaster won the richest Quarter Horse race of the meet, the $487,700 Sam Houston Futurity (G2).

Sassmaster was the fourth fastest qualifier in trials run on March 3, running second to Rc Had to Be My Day. Jockey Santos Carrizales rode the brown son of Tr Dasher out of the Separatist mare Catch You Now in trials, but owner Macedondonio Lozano of McAllen made the call to top Los Alamitos rider Rodrigo Aceves for the final.

"We felt that this horse has talent," said Mario Lozano, the owner's son. "He is paid into the All American Futurity, and we wanted Rodrigo to ride him."

"He slipped as he broke out of the gate," said Aceves, who was making just his second trip to Sam Houston. "But once he got going, he did it easily."

Thequeenhasgonenuts, the fifth fastest qualifier, ran a game race under jockey Francisco Ramirezm Jr to finish a neck behind the winner. Hiclass Buck was third and Diamond Version completed the superfecta.

Spartocus was the fastest qualifier of the 140 horses entered in 15 trials on Saturday, March 31, but had no racing luck tonight, finishing sixth.

"He got wiped out at the break, said trainer Bobby Martinez, who will head to Delta Downs and the Firecracker Futurity with the son of Shazoom.

Bred by Edward C. Allred, Sassmaster covered 330 yards in :16.867 in a ferocious head win of 32 mph. Sent off as the third betting choice, he paid $12.00 for the win, earning $195,080 for his maiden-breaking score.

Charmin Chief Corona Scored in the $180,900 Sam Houston Derby (G3)

Second fastest qualifier Charmin Chief Corona ran an impressive race in the final of the $180,900 Sam Houston Derby (G3). Owned and bred by, Gary Kurz, the chestnut filly did not get a lot of attention in her trial win as the fastest qualifier, Sarah Must set a new track record in her :17.238 second victory.

Trainer Cindi Keeton had faith in her filly as well as rider Francisco Raul Ramirez, Jr. and the two delivered a quality performance.

"She felt great," said Ramirez. "She is a real nice mare to ride."

This is the second year in a row that a female conditioner won the Sam Houston Derby. Last year Yasmine Fierro won with Stones Puede.

"She's turned into a beautiful horse," said Pat Kurz, who accepted the trophy with her husband, Gary. "My husband was the one who wanted to breed to Chief Corona, and he came through for us. Cindi is a beautiful person inside and out, and we are so happy for her."

Keeton reported that her filly is paid into the Adequan Derby and will run in trials three weeks from today at Sam Houston.
Charmin Chief Corona ($12.00) earned $72,360 tonight for the first stakes of her career. The Lizzard King ran second under John Hamilton followed by Nash Jolla. Fastest qualifier Sarah Must ran fourth.

"It wasn't the wind," said jockey Jerry Lee Yoakum, of Sarah Must. "The outside of the track was a lot deeper than last time."

Second Stakes Win for Keeton in the $25,000 Sam Houston Juvenile

The $25,000 Sam Houston Juvenile Stake kicked off the stakes action on Saturday evening. The field of ten American Quarter Horses competed in trials for the Sam Houston Futurity on March 31, but missed the cut-off time of:16.836 seconds.

Trainer Cindi Keeton saddled the winner, Rightamountofwrong, a daughter of Fly Jess Fly, who broke alertly from the rail and closed under jockey Francisco Raul Ramirez, Jr. In her trial, she was bumped and finished fifth, but had a much easier time of it this evening.

Rightamountofwrong ran the distance of 330-yards in :17.037 and paid $22.40 for the win. Longshot Tactical Weapon was second, followed by First Alibi Snow.