(Houston, Texas - Wednesday, May 22, 2024) - There was little reason to doubt that Fire Cowboy's win streak was in jeopardy when he entered the starting gate as the prohibitive favorite in the $280,450 Sam Houston Derby (G3) at Sam Houston Race Park.

Trained by Juan Diaz, Jr. and owned by Emmanuel Villarreal, Victor Urieta, Jr, who has ridden Fire Cowboy for his last three starts, broke from the rail and drew clear by a margin of 1 1/2 lengths. His final time, over the fast main track, was:17.346 seconds, besting his May 23 trial clocking of:17.905 seconds.

Fire Cowboy was bred in Texas by Edward J and Von Zae McNelis and made his first start here last year in trials for the Sam Houston Futurity. His six-race win streak began on September 1 at Retama Park. He won the $237,00 Evangeline Downs Futurity (G2) on December 15 before taking a well-deserved break until his May 4 allowance victory here.

His owner, Emmanuel Villarreal, hand-selected Fire Cowboy from the Los Alamitos Equine Sale and purchased three-year-old gelding fPerky by Walk Thru Fireor $22,000 from breeders Edward and VonZae McNelis. The first prize Sam Houston Derby check of $112,180 boosted his career earnings to $357,773. While trainer Juan Diaz, Jr. departed quickly to saddle his quintet of finalists in the Sam Houston Futurity, Villarreal talked about how greatly he admired Fire Cowboy.

"He is a super horse," he stated. "I went all the way to California to buy him. He was a Texas-bred at Los Alamitos. I believe in his bloodlines. I want to thank God, all the team, and especially my wife, who has been super patient with me, for this win."

Fire Cowboy ($2.60) will remain in Texas with Villarreal confirming that the sorrel gelding is paid into the Retama Derby as well as the Texas Classic Derby later this year at Lone Star Park. His sire Flying Cowboy 123 won the Texas Classic Futurity in 2018 and retired following his victory in the 2019 Texas Classic Derby on November 9, 2019.

"Let's see if he can do what his daddy did," added Villarreal with a smile.

Trainer Toby Keeton, who had won two previous editions of the Sam Houston Derby with Bens Coasting and in 2022 with Special Apollitical, saddled the runner-up Jaegar for owner Guerras Racing Stables. The son of Apollitical Jess won his Derby trial under Luis Vivanco after two starts at Louisiana Downs. Maria Solis' homebred Jmg One Hot Eagle ran third followed by Hesa Game, Cr Dmj Policy, Eyes Like An Eagle, Princess Chenoa, Dragones, Swanky B, and Revolutionaerie.