-photo by Sandra Beck/Coady Photography

Houston, Texas (September 4, 2004) - Trainer Janet Van Bebber added yet another Sam Houston Classic trophy to her collection as Silent Overdrive captured tonight's feature, the $61,000 Sam Houston Classic (G2). Van Bebber and her late husband, Steve, have won three previous editions of this prestigious stakes with Streakin Sin Tacha in 2002, Tailor Fit in 1999 and Lawyer La Jolla in 1997.

Alvin "Bubba" Brossette rode the 6-year-old Louisiana-bred gelding for owner Richard Slayter, Sr. of Montgomery, Louisiana. Under confident handling by Brossette, Silent Overdrive rallied and nosed out Frostys Money Man at the wire, completing the 440-yard stakes in a time of :21.620.

"He came into this race really well," commented Brossette. "He stepped away (from the gate) well and got a good, clean break. That's one of the most important things for him to do. He got away well and finished strong."

"I'm so proud of Silent Overdrive," added Van Bebber. "He hasn't always been awarded the respect that he deserves. What people don't realize is last summer, when he had a couple of lackluster performances, he was real sick and it took him almost a year to get over it. This year he is realizing his peak potential and showing how strong of a finisher he is and that he can compete with this caliber of champions."

It was a disappointing effort for the connections of AQHA World Champion Oak Tree Special as he finished sixth. Regular rider James Brooks was aboard the 4-year-old son of Special Task and seemed perplexed by his colt's effort tonight.

"He never got hold of that part of the track," said Brooks. "It kept cupping out from under him. I don't know any other reason. He felt fine, got away well and they just kept running away from him."

Frostys Money Man, trained by Heath Taylor, has run well this year, setting a track record at Delta Downs and ran second tonight under jockey Joe Martinez.

"He kind of washed out behind the gate," said Martinez. "He was all lathered up and I think that might have taken its toll on him. He was in front, but the other horse (Silent Overdrive) came and caught him. He run a real good race, considering."

Silent Overdrive, sent off at 5-1, returned $13.60, $7.20 and $6.40 across the board. The 8-7 exacta paid $93.40 and the trifecta with the John Buchanan-trained Prime Talent returned $893.00. Gray Invasion, First N Kool, Oak Tree Special, Zookie Street, Valors Gold, Snow Warning, Especially Hungry and Counting Sheet completed the order of finish.

Live racing continues at Sam Houston Race Park on Sunday, September 5. The ten race card will feature the $35,000-added Governors' Cup Marathon. There will be a special Labor Day live racing program beginning at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, September 6 featuring the finals of the $84,077 Dixie Stallion Stakes Futurity.