(August 4, 2006) - Sixteen Quarter Horses were eligible for the Friday night feature at Sam Houston Race Park, so two divisions of the $14,000 Woodlands Stakes, an 870-yard contest for three-year-olds, were run. Heza Marquette Maker, owned by John V. Parma and trained by Rick Robinson scored the victory in the first division. Santos Carrizales rode the Texas-bred gelding to an allowance victory on July 4 and returned tonight, completing the 870-yard event in :46.150. This was the first stakes win for Heza Marquette Maker, a son of Invisible Injun out of the Marquetry mare, Miss Marquetry.

“I had to push him a little bit,” said Carrizales of his mount breaking from the far outside post. “He did respond and after that it was all up to him. He handled the track well today.”

Boda Bang, trained by Toby Keeton, was closing well under rider Alfonso Lujan, but finished a length behind the winner.

“We hooked up in a pretty good race in the stretch, but my colt just can’t beat that other horse,” admitted Keeton. “That’s twice in a row he’s beat us. We claimed this colt off a buddy of mine at San Antonio, and we really like him so far. We’ll probably put him in a non-winners of three (races) next to give him a little easier time.”

“There was a little bump and grind going on in the turn that probably cost him a few strides,” said Lujan. “But he came on and was really battling the eight horse, but he just overpowered him. It’s my first time on this horse, and he ran a good race.”

Heza Marquette Maker returned $6.40, $3.20 and $3.20 across the board. Mitey Reckless Ten ran third, followed by One Wild Wrangler, Cf Rarity, Rapid Red Perry, Royally Ripped and Goin Invisible.

In the second division, McM Penny Game, owned by M. C. Morris took advantage of his distance experience to win under jockey Nickey Laws. The son of Game Patriot had won two of his last three races at Delta Downs and lived up to his post-time favorite status this evening. Trained by Chad Hassenpflug, McM Penny Game rallied off the pace and completed the $13,750 stakes in a winning time of :46.044.

“He’s been a real good horse and has run well this year,” said Hassenpflug. “He seems to like the 870-yard distance a lot and that’s what we will keep him at for a while.”

Adios Counselor ran second for trainer Janet Van Bebber with John Hamilton in the irons.

“I’m proud of him,” commented Van Bebber. “I think he gave a gallant effort. It’s his first time at this distance, and the horse that beat him was second to older horses in a stake his last out, and we gave him a run for his money. I was proud of my colt for his kick at the end, and we’ll sure try him at this distance again. He was a big growthy colt, and I didn’t identify that he had the early speed for shorter distances, so that was the reason we tried him around the turn. And this seems to be a good spot for him.”

McM Penny Game paid $3.20 to win. The rest of the field included Ap Jazz and Me, Wood Climber, Guilty of Zoom, Tricky Gol and Formible.

News and Notes

Labella Marie Wins the La Perla Paint and Appaloosa Stakes

A field of eight Paints and Appaloosas were entered in the $5,000 La Perla Paint and Appaloosa Stakes earlier this evening at Sam Houston Race Park. Labella Marie, a 2-year-old filly owned by Francisco Acuna was sent off as the favorite and did not disappoint, closing gamely to win the 350-yard contest in :18.193.

Trained by Joel Garza and ridden by Juan Molina, Labella Marie paid $4.40 to win. Could Be a Paint ran second and Texas Queen was third.

“We trained her a little harder for tonight, because we knew this race was going to be a lot harder than her (July 6) race,” said Garza. “That was a maiden race, and we knew this stakes race would have a lot better horses. But we knew she could do it, and we’re ready for the next one. We’re not sure what her next start will be. We’re still looking at what’s available for her. But Juan (Molina, Jr.) did a really good job with her tonight. He does really well with all of our horses.”