(Friday, August 30, 2002) - Tonight's feature, the $60,500 Sam Houston Classic (G2), was one of the best American Quarter Horse races in the history of Sam Houston Race Park. The stellar field included three of the 2001 American Quarter Horse meet champions and boasted total earnings in excess of $2 million dollars. The true champion emerged and tonight Streakin Sin Tacha was brilliant, winning the Sam Houston Classic and keeping his undefeated winning streak at Sam Houston Race Park intact.

Owned and trained by Janet Van Bebber, Streakin Sin Tacha was ridden to victory by Alvin "Bubba" Brossette, drawing off to win the 440 yard contest in a time of :21.494. The Louisiana-bred runner won $36,300 tonight and has total career earnings of $320,192.

"It's hard not to get emotional about this horse," said Van Bebber in the winner's circle following the trophy presentation. "It's such a blessing. He continues to perform at peak level and give us 110%. I thank God for the tool that he's given us to do well and I don't take it for granted, ever. We'll point him for the MBNA race at Lone Star and depending on the outcome of that race he'll have an opportunity to run in the El Paso Championship or possibly California. We're fortunate in this industry to have many options for big races later in the year."

The 4-year-old gelding has been nothing short of sensational at Sam Houston Race Park, winning every race he has ever entered at the northwest Houston racetrack. Last summer he won four consecutive races including his first graded stakes, a victory in the $86,100 Sam Houston Derby (G2). He returned to Sam Houston Race Park in 2002 capturing the $87,750 MBNA America Texas Challenge Championship (G1) on July 13 and will compete in the $300,000 MBNA America Challenge Championship (G1) to be held November 2, 2002 at Lone Star Park.

"He's an incredible horse," commented Brossette. "He really finished strong and it's a pleasure to ride a horse when you have something left and you're already up there."

Rare Fasteroid, owned and trained by Michael Zingelmann, continues to run well at Sam Houston Race Park, closing well to finish second. The 4-year-old son of Rare Form won the $45,550 Classic Chevrolet Stakes on July 27 as well as an allowance race on July 4.

"The horse has been doing everything we ask him," said Zingelmann. "We are a little disappointed, but at the same time he ran a great race. We will see how he pulls up from here. We are going to Lone Star there are two stakes there that we are looking at."

Pivotal Decision, the striking gray 4-year-old from the barn of John Buchanan, will also run in the Sam Houston Classic. Owned by Joshua Harner, Pivotal Decision was voted Champion Texas-Bred of the Meet. His 2001 highlights included a victory in the 2001 Bayer Legend Texas Challenge (G3) and a win in the $179,000 Dash For Cash Derby at Lone Star Park last October. Unraced since October 12, Pivotal Decision returned to the racetrack on August 11, winning a $8,000 allowance at Sam Houston Race Park. Juan Vazquez had the mount, but despite an early bid, Pivotal Decision tired and finished ninth.

"He just didn't run his race tonight," said Vazquez. "I don't know why but he just didn't get into the race."