(Friday, August 28, 2009) - Sam Houston Race Park enjoyed an exciting evening of live American Quarter Horse racing with the Grade 1 $321,900 Sam Houston Futurity and the Grade 2 $121,700 Sam Houston Derby highlighting the 10-race card on Friday, August 28.

The Grade 2 $121,700 Sam Houston Derby, the 8th race of the evening, featured a field of nine horses running 440 yards on the dirt track.

Favored horse Charal Kid ($3.80), owned by Malinche Cattle Co., Inc., had a strong break out of the gate, gaining early speed and finishing with a clear-cut win in :21.43. Adding to the excitement of the race was a five-way photo finish to determine the second horse across the wire. Own The Waterfront nudged out Zimalue for place by a neck with Million Maid earning fourth place honors by a nose.

Charal Kid, the fastest qualifier of the trials, posted a speed index of 102 for the race and was guided by jockey Santos Carrizales, who said, “There was some pressure coming into the race, but we felt ready and held our own, so I sat back and enjoyed the ride.”

Trainer Eusevio Huitron was thrilled by the win and commented, “We have been proud of this horse and his performance all summer, so it’s really great to end the meet at Sam Houston Race Park on a high note.”

Charal Kid’s last stakes race, the $59,458 TQHA Sires’ Cup Derby on July 25, ended with a dramatic photo finish featuring Its A Black Oak and Charal Kid taking it all the way to the wire. Its A Black Oak ended up winning by a nose in a time of 19.937. Charal Kid then went on to win his next race, a 440-yard dash on Friday, August 14. Charal Kid will head to Lone Star Park for the Dash for Cash Derby.

Final placement was: Charal Kid, Own The Waterfront, Zimalue, Million Maid, First Down Mr Jess, Miss Sin Tacha, Chasing The Cheese, Cool Shazoom, and Fleet Hawk.

The Grade 1 $321,900 Sam Houston Futurity witnessed a stunning upset as Eye Got the Blues ($5.40) beat out favored horse Ivansbay by 1 ¾ lengths for the win crossing the wire in :19.62, a mere .05 off the track record of :19.57 which was established by Azoom in September 2004. The two-year-old gelding demonstrated consistent speed for the 400-yard race, with an index of 106, and advanced ahead of the field with ease along the inside rail to capture the exciting win. A photo finish for second revealed Sixes Wisdom beating out Mr Celeb Jess by a nose.

Trainer Frank Cavazos stated, “We worked hard, found the right pocket and drove hard all the way to the finish line, so it’s really great to see that effort pay off with a trip to the winner’s circle.”

Jockey Juan Luiz Vazquez was met in the winner’s circle with one of the largest victory cheers of the season and said he “would be smiling over this win for the rest of the night.”

Eye Got the Blues is owned by Roselyn Atkins and Troy Fountain.

Final placement for the field of nine horses was: Eye Got the Blues, Sixes Wisdom, Mr Celeb Jess, Ivansbay, Miss Snow Royale, Acorn, A Noble Jess, Fame 555, and La Regal Choice.

Live Racing Continues Saturday with Fan Appreciation Dollar Day

The Park will hold its final day of live racing for the 2009 American Quarter Horse meet, which is Fan Appreciation Dollar Day on Saturday, August 29, with the $15,000+ Sam Houston Distance Derby and the $15,000+ Blue Bonnet Stakes highlighting the evening’s 10-race card.

The Sam Houston Distance Derby, the 8th race of the night, will feature eight horses running a distance of 870 yards. The morning line favorite is Coups De Ville (2-1). The three-year-old gelding, trained by James Gerhards, ridden by jockey Gaspar Garcia, and owned by Dennis Maddox, will be looking for a win after finishing second in his last outing, the $18,750 Woodlands Stakes on July 31.

The remainder of the field features DM Traffic, Dont Mess With Bart, Tsunami Wind, Manifold, Realquiet Effort, Im Willie Jazzed and Primetime Apollo.

The Blue Bonnet Stakes, the 9th race, will showcase 10 horses sprinting a distance of 400 yards. Executive Looks (3-1) will be the favored horse in this stakes race and will be ridden by jockey Rodrigo Vallejo. The three-year-old filly has finished second in her last two races, the $55,000 Ancira Ford Classic Stakes on July 24 and the $102,600 Firecracker Derby at Delta Downs on July 4. Executive Looks is owned by Rogelio Rangel and trained by Joe Bryan Rangel.

The remainder of the field will feature La Jolla Suspect, Newarcos Bambina, Shadaisy 123, Rump Shakin, Send Me A Perry, Southern Pretense, Eye Be Swift, Tearful and Dashin Chick.

In addition to the live stakes races, Vice President of Racing Eric Johnston will award David Alvarez the 2009 Jockey of the Meet award following the 4th race and Bobby Touchet the 2009 Trainer of the Meet award following the 5th race of the night. The Park will award the 2009 Owner of the Meet following live racing.