(Thursday, May 7, 2009) - Sam Houston Race Park will host the $15,000 Universal City Stakes this Saturday, May 9, 2009. As part of the extended 11-race card, the stakes race will feature several of the top American Quarter Horses from last year’s meet including JC My Diamond Man, Blue Ribbon Dash and Heza Marquette Maker. The three horses have traded top honors in elite races from Texas-based tracks Retama, Lone Star and The Park.

The 870-yard race, designated for horses ages three and up, features JC My Diamond Man as the morning line odds favorite at 5-2. The 4-year-old gelding took home top honors in the 2008 Sam Houston Distance Derby, racing 870 yards in a time of :46.11. Taking the reins on Saturday will be jockey Saul Ramirez, Jr., who will mount the gelding for the first time. He is trained by Brian Stroud and owned by Clem D. Nava, III.

The remaining horses in the eight-horse field include Big Bad N Brown, Rakin In Cyn, Jess Ina Bluedress, Fasterthan A Bullet and Duplicate Dasher.

Saturday’s live racing event will be followed by a performance from the Verizon Wireless Concert Series on the Bud Light Stage with Austin-based duo Ghostland Observatory. Live American Quarter Horse racing continues every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in May.

For ticket information visit www.shrp.com or call (281)-807-8760.