(Houston, Texas - Saturday, June 5, 2010) - Sam Houston Race Park kicked off the first weekend of live racing in June with the $113,502 TQHA Sires’ Cup Futurity (RG2) and $54,727 TQHA Sires’ Cup Derby (RG3) on Saturday, June 5. Trials for both stakes races were run at The Park on May 21st and 22nd. Saturday night’s live racing card featured nine races, with the Derby as the 6th race on the night’s card and the Futurity as the 8th race.

Giorgino nudged out favorite Executive Precision in the final yards of the TQHA Sires’ Cup Futurity. The 10-horse field in its entirety had a clean break from the starting gate, but Giorgino was in clear control from start to finish with a confident drive that ended in a time of :17.653. The two-year-old colt is trained and owned by Jorge Haddad and was guided to the finish by jockey J.R. Ramirez.

“This win makes three in a row, so I couldn’t be happier right now,” commented Haddad. “He just keeps getting better and better with each race, and J.R. does a good job with him.”

Giorgino blazed through the 350-yard sprint, topping the speed index at 99. His bettors went home with $11.40 for the win.

Final placement had the favored Executive Precision coming in a close second, followed by The Gray Menace in third. Next were Jess A Classy Lass, Cant Shake My Fame, Stylize, Stones Puede, Gray Darlin Dash, Trampstamp, and RC Shake Up My Day.

Dashingfordestiny took top honors in the TQHA Sires’ Cup Derby, the 6th race on the night’s card. Dashingfordestiny broke sharp in the 400-yard sprint and kept a steady surge right up until crossing the finish line in a time of :19.879. The three-year-old filly is trained by last year’s Trainer of the Meet, Bobby Touchet, and was ridden to victory by jockey Jose Amador Alvarez.

“She did much better tonight than she did in the trials, so I’m very happy,” commented Alvarez. “Bobby came to me and asked me to ride her. I’m not sure what’s up next for her, but I hope to ride her again.”

Longshot Dashingfordestiny paid her betting fans $43.20 for the win and reached a sizzling speed index of 97.

Final placement featured a close-running second place finisher in Nancys Ocean. Ms Riptide was third, followed by Ocean Fun, Without Prejudice, Zoomin On By, All Star Talent, Speeding, Kite Flyer, and The Gucci Diamond in last place after being disqualified following an objection and subsequent inquiry.

The Park also hosted a simulcast of the 142nd Running of the $1 million Belmont Stakes (Gr. 1), along with holding a Party on the Patio Hot Wing Night featuring admission and 10 hot wings for just $10 along with $2 draft beer available from 4:00-8:00 p.m. The Verizon Wireless Summer Concert series on the Bud Light side stage continued with the Battle of the Bands Competition, presented by The New 93Q, Houston Press & 226 Recordings.

In addition to the afternoon’s Belmont events, there was $930,495.46 Pick Six Carryover for the Belmont on Wednesday, June 9th, for races 4 through 9.