(August 12, 2006) - Only nine of the ten fastest qualifiers took part in the exciting final of the $63,880 TQHA Sires’ Cup Derby tonight at Sam Houston Race Park. The field was reduced due to the late scratch of Run Money Run.

The upset winner was Rebs Royal Dasher, a 3-year-old colt owned by Rudy Trevino of Edinburg, Texas. Rider Martin Rubalcava showed his superior athleticism when his colt stumbled badly out of the gate, but quickly found his stride and powered to a stunning upset, covering 400-yards in :20.121. Sent off at 38-1, the California-bred son of Royal Quick Dash earned $25,552 for tonight’s victory and rewarded his backers with a win payout of $79.

The winner was making his 17th lifetime start and was winless in 2006. He was the seventh fastest qualifier in trials run on July 29, running third in the same trial as fastest qualifier, Texas Sixes. Trainer Guadalupe Garza, Jr was proud of Rubalcava and the recovery of his colt after the less than ideal break from the starting gate.

“We were very impressed,” said Garza. “We didn’t expect that kind of finish, but we did it!”

“He’s a real good horse and has always come back strong,” commented owner Rudy Trevino. “He’s always given us 100%, even though he’s been a little unlucky in the finals. Last year in the TQHA Sires’ Cup Futurity, they (Featuring a Rockette) caught us by a head. We were hoping he would do it this time and it’s awesome.

Bag It Up, at 14-1, closed gamely for second under rider Jeff Jerman.

“I thought we had it,” said Jerman. “I broke this colt last year and know how much talent he has.”

“I’m overwhelmed, very overwhelmed,” added trainer Cheryl Taylor. “It was a good race. I was proud of my horse, and real proud of the one that won. Jeff (Jerman) said if he had one more stride he would have won. In fact, he thought he had it. We’re planning on going in the Dash For Cash if he pulls up good.”

While the longshots outran their odds, it was not a night for the fastest qualifier, Texas Sixes or the post-time favorite, All American Winner.

“We lost all chances when he broke and stumbled,” rider James Brooks said of Texas Sixes’ fourth place finish. “He was trying hard at the end, but couldn’t get there.”

“Tonight was just a bad break,” said trainer Alex Villarreal of All American Winner. “They bumped him, and he didn’t have a chance from the get-go. When he was standing in the gate, that colt broke out, then (my horse) wasn’t ready. That hurt him a lot. But this horse has a lot of class, and he’ll come back. We’re going to run two weeks from now in (trials for) the Sam Houston Derby.”

Featuring a Rockette ran third followed by Texas Sixes, Jodys Funny Face, All American Winner, Mr Perry to You, Jesse Zooms and Jody Pops Little Sis.

Live racing continues on Sunday, August 13 at 1:30 p.m. The 2006 American Quarter Horse Meeting runs each Friday, Saturday and Sunday through September 9.