(Houston, Texas - Saturday, May 14, 2011) - Trainer Lewis "Tooter" Jordan had praise and admiration for Pandorum, a rising star and winner of the $88,740 John Deere Texas Juvenile Challenge at Sam Houston Race Park. Bred by Joe Kirk Fulton, Pandorum made her racing debut on April 29 in trials and exploded to a 2 1/4 length victory in a time of :17.688.

The Tres Seis filly out of the Strawfly Special mare Daring Diversion won from the far outside in her trial, and drew the rail for the finals. She broke gamely under rider Jose Alvarez, and despite drifting out to the center of the racetrack, completed her 350-yard final in :17.326. Her time bested the previous track record of :17.360 set by Hotdoggin on July 27, 2001.

"She is an incredible filly," said Jordan. "In just her second start, she's still learning. We saw that by the way she drifted out. We knew she was fast; now we get to see how good she can be."

Fulton, who was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum in 2011, attended the races with his wife, Merle. The native Texan has been a renowned owner and breeder of American Quarter Horses for decades. His homebreds have earned in excess of $16 million and he has owned 72 stakes winners.

"This is a very special filly," said Fulton. "Much of the credit goes to her sire, Tres Seis and the mare, Daring Diversion, who has a great background."

Paid into the All American and Texas Classic Futurities, Fulton and Jordan are focused on taking Pandorum to Ruidoso Downs in preparation for trials in August. Neither the Rainbow or Ruidoso Futurities are on the radar, but they might consider the John Deere Juvenile at Ruidoso as a prep.

"Our eye is on the All American," said Fulton "The filly might not run until August; not that she has anything to prove."

Pandorum ($3.40) earned a speed index of 109 in her second career start and was followed by Executive Miss Dash, Streaky Baby and Jess A Comment. She was coupled in the wagering with two other Fulton homebreds: Body Of Evidence, who ran fifth and Sweet Oblivion, with Jacky Martin in the irons in sixth place.

She earned $40,820 for the win and the opportunity to represent the region in the $150,000 John Deere Racing Challenge Juvenile Championship (G2) at Los Alamitos Race Course on October 29.

Eyes Blew By You Lived Up to His Name in the $52,920 Adequan Texas Derby Challenge

Saturday evening also produced an exciting final of the $52,920 Adequan Texas Derby Challenge. Sam Houston leading trainer Judd Kearl saddled the winner, Eyes Blew By You, who got clear and surged to a convincing score with Rodrigo Vallejo aboard.

"This colt has never been good in the gates, but always ran well in the end," said Kearl. "When I saw him leave so clean, I knew we had it."

Owned by Felix Jackson, Eyes Blew By You was purchased for $28,000 at the Heritage Place Sale. The Missouri-bred son of Mr Eye Opener was the second fastest qualifier in trials run on April 30. His 2-year-old campaign was derailed by illness; colic, which required surgery, but he is sound and off to a tremendous start in 2011 with two wins from four starts.

Awe Contraire, winner of the 2010 John Deere Texas Juvenile, ran second under Santos Carrizales. Painted Sable, a daughter of Pyc Paint Your Wagon owned by Dr. Tommy Hays and Bobby Barnett, was the fastest qualifier in trials. She drew the outside post in the finals, but broke poorly and finished in a dead-heat for third with Differently.

Eyes Blew By You, sent off at 5-1, returned $12.00 and completed the 400-yard final in :19.815.

Kearl indicated that Eyes By You is paid into the Retama Park and Texas Classic Derby, but will most likely make the trip to California for the $200,000 Adequan Racing Challenge Derby Championship (G1).

Live racing continues today, Sunday, May 15 with the final care of the American Quarter Horse season. Post time for the 12-race finale begins at 5:00 p.m., and features the $25,000 Governors' Cup Marathon and the Colors of Houston Derby.