(Houston, Texas - July 8, 2010) - Sam Houston Race Park will host a full day of live American Quarter Horse racing featuring nine live races and over $300,000 in total purse money on Saturday, July 10, 2010. The day’s race card will feature four high-dollar stakes races, including the $106,290 Bank of America Texas Challenge Championship (G1).

The 440-yard race on the dirt track features fastest qualifier and 2009 Bank of America Texas Challenge winner Easy Dashin Sixes (3-1). The five-year-old gelding is trained by Erika Huitron and will be ridden by jockey Jesus Huitron. Easy Dashin Sixes pulled off a stunning photo finish in last year’s stakes race to win in a time of :21.921.

The second favorite, XO Kate (9-2), had the sixth fastest qualifying time and will be ridden by jockey Santos Carrizales. Ironically, Carrizales rode Easy Dashin Sixes to victory in last year’s Challenge Championship. Trial races were held at The Park on Saturday, June 26.

The field of 10 includes: Special Headlines (6-1), Double Chiseled (6-1), Classified Bull (12-1), A Stoli Mate (10-1), Teton Snowman (8-1), Kid Perry (12-1), Mr La Bubba (12-1) and Stolis Winner (8-1), who has won several high-dollar stakes at Lone Star Park in Dallas.

The Bank of America Racing Challenge is the richest and most successful program in American Quarter Horse racing today – a championship series developed for the “World’s Fastest Horse." The Bank of America Racing Challenge program provides more racing opportunities and bigger purses for older American Quarter Horses than any other program throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and South America.

During the 2010 racing season, there are a total of 60 regional Challenge finals, approximately 30 John Deere Bonus Challenge races plus several Challenge Maiden Finals. The Racing Challenge will culminate with the six Challenge Championship races and six undercard Challenge Stakes races with total purses and bonuses topping $5 million.

More than half of the total purses and bonus awards are provided by AQHA Corporate Partners and host racetracks. The Racing Challenge adds more non-horsemen funds than any other America Quarter Horse racing program.

The 2010 Challenge Championships will be held November 20 at Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans, Louisiana (exact date pending).

In addition to the Bank of America Texas Challenge Championship, three other stakes races filled the nine-race card on Saturday, July 10 at The Park:

$20,925 Red Cell Texas Distance Challenge (G3)
This race spotlights 870-yard specialists.
5th Race; Field of 5 horses; 870 yards
Favorite: Blue Ribbon Dash (Even); Jockey Luis L. Vivanco, Trainer Kie Mushinski, Owner Donna Mushinski

$28,125 Pfizer Texas Starter Allowance Challenge
This race provides racing opportunities for older claiming horses.
6th Race; Field of 10 horses; 350 yards
Favorite: Klassy Lad (3-1); Jockey Rodrigo Sigala Vallejo, Trainer Judd Kearl, Owner Douglas Traylor

$33,345 Merial Texas Distaff Challenge (G3)
This race starts the top fillies and mares at 3-years old and up.
7th Race; Field of 10 horses; 400 yards
Favorite: Wowzer Won (3-1); Jockey Rodrigo Sigala Vallejo, Trainer Judd Kearl, Owner Kathleen O. Matey