(Sunday, September 6, 2008) - Fan appreciation week concluded with free admission for live racing and simulcasting events at The Park on Saturday, September 6. The evening of live racing included three stakes races, the $23,550 TPHBA Derby (G3), the $25,890 Colors of Houston Futurity (G3) and the $121,100 Sam Houston Derby.

The $121,100 Sam Houston Derby race, the eighth race on the night’s 10-race card, showcased Easy Dashin Sixes (6-1) winning the 440-yard race in a time of :21.625. Trained by Eusevio Huitron and owned by Oscar Cantu Ramirez from Mexico, the three-year-old gelding got a clean start tonight and never looked back.

“He didn’t get a good start in the trials, but today he got a really good start, so that helped him a lot,” said Huitron.

Previously ridden by Santos Carrizales, the reins for Easy Dashin Sixes were held tonight by Esgar Ramirez.

“We gave Santos the option to ride, but he always rides Eyesa Jumpn so he chose to ride her tonight instead,” Huitron added.

Huitron indicated they will be taking Easy Dashin Sixes to Lone Star next for the Dash For Cash Futurity.

Final order of finish was Easy Dashin Sixes ($15.20), Eyesa Sam, Panther Purr, Victory Corona, Romancing Mary, Eyesa Jumpn, Swingin Jess, The Polar Express, and Jess Flashy.

$23,550 TPHBA Derby (G3)
This race spotlights three-year-old Paints racing 350 yards.
Winner: Jubious Illusion (three-year-old colt)
:18.101 winning time; speed 85 mph
Jockey: Modesto Pina; Trainer: Guy Hopkins; Owner: Linda Jo and James C. Whitener
4th Race; Field of seven horses

“He started the race a little bad, and I had to ask to get a lot out of him, but he responded well. When the horse [Treasured Gol] started to lose control, it worked out better for me because I could concentrate on the horses inside of me,” said winning jockey Modesto Pina.

“This horse won the Derby here earlier this year and then won the Derby at Manor. Truthfully a little more distance is better for him. He broke away from the gate good today, and he just kept coming and finally got by him [Op Dasher] at the end here. He ran a good race, and we plan to take him up to Lone Star next,” commented trainer Guy Hopkins.

Jubious Illusion ($12.40) triumphed by a half-length, followed under the wire by Op Dasher by a head over Savonas Beauty in third.

$25,890 Colors of Houston Futurity (G2)
This race starts the top two-year-old Paints racing 350 yards.
Raise Beduino (two-year-old colt)
:18.474 winning time; speed 74 mph
Jockey: Russel Hadley; Trainer: Heath Taylor; Owner: Tracy Taylor
6th Race; Field of nine horses

“It’s been an awesome week. Winning the All American [Derby] was a goal and absolute dream come true. Then last week Diamond Tres Seis won the Sam Houston Classic here and Zazoom followed winning the Bluebonnet stakes, so it’s been a very good week for me. This horse is Tracy [Taylor] and our help’s horse at the ranch. I’m really excited for them. The horse ran a perfect race, and I think he ran all he could absolutely run. It’s the first time he’s really gotten away from the gate clean to show what he can do, but I think he was all in. He run all he could run. There’s a little Paints stake at Lone Star we may take him to next if he comes out of this race good, and then after that give him a little rest,” said trainer Heath Taylor.

“That was the best race that horse has ever run. I have ridden the horse about four or five times now, and I feel like he has never ran like that. So that’s why I feel like this is the best he’s ever run. I look forward to seeing him run in Lone Star,” commented jockey Russel Hadley.

Raise Beduino ($15.00) won by a neck, followed by Awesome Judy by a head over Brown Sugar Treasured in third.

The Park will close the 2008 American Quarter Horse meeting with final racing events on Friday, September 12 and Saturday, September 13. The weekend will feature the final stakes race, the $20,000+ TQHA Claiming Futurity.