(Friday, July 30, 2004) - Sam Houston Race Park hosted one of the most exciting nights of the 2004 American Quarter Horse meeting, the Texas Summer Showdown. The ten-race card featured four stakes races with purses in excess of $150,000. A huge crowd was in attendance, enjoying the stakes action as well as a live concert following the evening’s races by rising Country Western star, Roger Creager.

The $44,500 TQHA Classic Stakes, at a distance of 400 yards drew a field of nine with the 3-year-old filly, Sixy Thru Traffic scoring the victory. She is owned by Eusevio Huitron of Austin and trained by Joe Chapa, the same connections of Kathy’s Star Quest, who won the $268,230 Manor Downs Futurity on May 2. Ridden by Rodrigo Vallejo, Sixy Thru Traffic won in gate-to-wire fashion, covering the 400-yards in a time of :19.863. She has only finished out of the money once in her six previous starts and picked up the biggest paycheck of her young career this evening, earning $26,700.

"We have been lucky to have such nice fillies," said Huitron. "She beat the older horses because she is so intelligent. The win was special for us because our whole family works hard with our horses."

Prime Talent, trained by John Buchanan ran second. Rider Juan Vazquez overcame an awkward start, but his horse was closing strongly at the wire.

"I just got outrun and I think my horse had a little problem with the break," admitted Vazquez. "He kind of danced a bit. That four horse just got away from me and I tried to get him. That's part of Quarter Horse (racing) - if you don't leave out of the gate good, you're going to have your horse running. But that was a pretty nice horse that beat me; she covered a lot of ground."

Big Red Tequila, trained by leading Sam Houston Race Park conditioner, Janet Van Bebber ran third. Valors Gold, winner of the $89,910 MBNA Texas Challenge Championship (G1) here on May 29, was the post time favorite, but struggled and finished fourth. Sixy Thru Traffic, sent off at 7-1, paid $16.80 for the win.

Ronas Wind Dancer Rolls in $45,500 Barnmaster Sprint Stakes

Sheri Mueller Rosinski's Ronas Wind Dancer rolled to a convincing three-quarters of a length victory over favored Gotabenuts in the $45,500 Barnmaster Sprint Stakes (Gr. III). The 6-year-old daughter of Ronas Ryan covered the 250 yards in 13.030 seconds to earn a speed index of 104.

Silver N Sixes checked in another three-quarters of a length behind Gotabenuts. It was a head further back to First Raise in fourth place, who was followed past the wire by Speedy Bro, Shake Em White, Turfinator, Lil Bit Rowdy, Party Hound, A Runaway Creek, and Randys Pop Pop.

Rosinki's homebred is trained by Jeff Acuna and was ridden to victory by Danny Levergne.

Gray Invasion Dominates TQHA 550 Stakes

Claudio Aguilar's 5-year-old gelding Gray Invasion broke sharply and never looked back on his way to a dominating 2 1/4-lengths triumph in the $45,250 TQHA 550 Stakes (Gr. III). Ridden by J.R. Ramirez, the son of Chicks Beduino covered the 550 yards in :27.272 to earn a speed index of 99. He is trained by Frank Cavazos.

Run and Pray, part of the 7-to-10 favored three-horse entry by trainer John Buchanan, rallied to take second place by a nose over Cat B Quick. It was another half-length back to Amor Lijero in fourth place. Sing and Pray, Red Dog Leader, Jw Spiderman, Durability, Litmus, and Heza Fast Cowboy completed the order of finish.

Royal Blue And Gold Proves Best in TQHA Starter Stakes

Brazos J. Varisco's 5-year-old mare Royal Blue and Gold sprang a surprise in the $22,100 TQHA Starter Stakes, crossing the line first at odds of $15.80-to-1. The daughter of Affirmed Royalty, ridden by John Hamilton, drew clear in the stretch and then withstood a late challenge from Eyes Moving Easy by three-quarters of a length to take the 350-yard contest in :17.772 to earn a speed index of 92.

Texas Duncan finished third, a head behind Eyes Moving Easy and a half-length in front of Truckin Specialette.

Royal Blue and Gold is trained by Judd Kearle.