(July 1, 2006) - A field of eight accredited Texas-bred Quarter Horses took center stage in the Saturday night feature at Sam Houston Race Park, the $14,000 Gulf Coast Stakes. Shazoomer, owned by Lou Phillips of Houston and trained by Janet Van Bebber, was much the best, notching the first stakes win of his career under rider James Brooks.

The son of Shazoom had some tough racing luck last summer at Sam Houston Race Park. Bred in Texas by Jerry Windham, Shazoomer was the fastest qualifier last July in trials for the 2005 TQHA Sale Futurity. He broke through the gate in the final and finished sixth and stumbled and finished ninth in the Sam Houston Futurity on September 9. He won two races last fall at Lone Star Park and performed admirably in tonight’s stakes.

“He’s a hard-knocking colt and had some nice wins as a 2-year-old,” said Cerjio Cerda, assistant to Van Bebber, who remained at Delta Downs this evening. “She felt that “Diamond” (Brooks) would give him a good ride and he did.”

Jodys Funny Face, trained by Ryan Basham for owner Pat O’Neil, accelerated well to finish second under rider Dewey Smith.

“He ran big,” commented Smith. “He got a bad go from the gate. He was last away from the gate, I mean a length last. He come flying. If he gets away any at all, he wins the race. I’ve ridden him back when he was a 2-year-old, and I’ve been looking forward to riding him.”

Shazoomer, sent off as the second betting choice, paid $7.60 for the win and covered the 350-yard distance in a final time of :17.601. Sambaso Jet was third, followed by Delta Addiction, Texas Sixes, Jess Mr Fashion, San Saba Hel Kat and Jess Jivin.

The extended holiday live racing weekend continues on Sunday, July 2 at 1:30 p.m. There will also be a nine-race card on Monday, July 3 at 1:30 p.m. and a July 4 program which commences at 5:00 p.m. The Gallery Furniture July Fourth Fireworks Extravaganza will follow the eleven-race program on Tuesday, July 4.

First Smart Winner was the Fastest Qualifier in Trials for the $111,640 TQHA Sires' Cup Futurity

Seven trial races were run on Friday, June 30 at Sam Houston Race Park for the $111,640 TQHA Sires' Cup Futurity. First Smart Winner, a 2-year-old colt owned by Ernesto Perez and trained by Jesse Aguilar, was the fastest qualifier. Ridden by Rogelio Izquierdo, First Smart Winner ($3.00) won his 350-yard trial in :17.715 over a fast track.

In addition to First Smart Winner, Aguilar trained two additional qualifiers for the final which will take place on Friday, July 14, Ace Mudslinger and Jc First Sip.