(August 23, 2002)- "This has been a great night for me," exclaimed James Jones Saturday night at Retama Park. Jones, an assistant to veteran conditioner Frankie Brothers for ten years, captured his first stakes as a trainer of record when Padlock over came a tiring Front Nine to win the $30,000 Battle of the Alamo stakes.

Curt Bourque had Padlock on the front end when Front Nine moved past the leaders on the far turn and appeared headed for victory. The final 220 yards were too much for Front Nine, however, but Padlock exhibited gritty determination to win the seven-furlong event. Time for the race was 1:24 1/5.

Jones, a native of Rockdale, Texas won his first race of the meeting when he and Bourque teamed up to win the fifth race with Twilight Promise.

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