(Saturday, June 20, 2009) - For the second straight time this month, Tearful has made her way to the winner’s circle, this time taking the $50,130 AQHA Texas Maiden Challenge on Friday, June 19.

The field of eight got off to a shaky start when MSM Black Velvet flipped in the starting gate and was declared ineligible by Park veterinarian Dr. Gary Frakes. Buffalo Bayou crossed the finish line first, but the five-year-old horse illegally crossed paths with several of the competitors, resulting in a disqualification ruling by Park stewards. Due to the disqualification, top honors were awarded to Tearful, a three-year-old filly ridden by jockey Rudy Bustamante.

“She did everything perfect. I couldn’t have asked her to do any better,” commented Bustamante. “We were lucky tonight, and I have to thank my good friend for giving me the mount today.” Jockey Jose Alvarez qualified Tearful in the trials on June 4 but decided to ride Prioritizin in the final.

“Jose qualified Tearful for us, but he chose to ride another horse, so we picked up Rudy and he did an excellent job,” said trainer Tooter Jordan. “Rudy has a lot of experience and had a great ride on the filly. We were really fortunate to pick him up for the Maiden Challenge tonight.”

Tearful, owned by Tearful Racing LP, finished the 350-yard race in a time of :17.917. The filly paid her betting fans $10.80 for the win.

“Obviously we had some racing luck tonight. We ran a close second, but after seeing the photo, I thought we actually crossed the finish line first,” Jordan said. “This filly has been a great filly. We bought her in the TQHA sale, and she qualified for the two-year-old TQHA Futurity last year. But you will notice in the replay of tonight’s race that she has a problem getting away from the gate and doesn’t leave very strong, but always comes on strong at the end.”

After scoring her second consecutive win, Jordan is looking to place Tearful in the Sam Houston Derby on August 28.

“We’ve got her paid in the Sam Houston Derby right now. This was a maiden race, but she’s made the finals of two or three pretty good little stakes,” stated Jordan. “She’s been right there every time, running second, third or fourth. We’ll see if she comes back good off of this race, and we look forward to running her a little further in the 400-yard Derby.”

Final placement featured Prioritizin finishing second, Big Bizooms in third, followed by Madam Corona, The Jess Account, Speciallootahwarrior and Jazzi Jake.

Saturday’s live race card was highlighted by the $23,750 Stephen F. Austin Stakes, featuring three-year-olds and up racing 350 yards. Longshot Sought After finished first by a head, rewarding his betting fans with a win payout of $26.60. Trained by Yasmine Medina-Fierro and ridden by jockey Donaciano Arriaga, the five-year-old gelding dueled head-to-head with fan favorite Gray Invasion before crossing the finish line in a time of :18.171.

Final placement in the seven-horse field featured Gray Invasion in second, This Flights For You in third, followed by TFB Rock Me Baby, Streakin Illusively, Red Maverick Warrior and Ja Desert Evening.

Saturday’s live racing event was followed by a performance from Eddie Money with Lou Gramm in the Verizon Wireless Summer Concert Series on the Bud Light stage.