Rose Hunter
-photo by Jack Coady/Coady Photography


The Trophy Presentation
-photo by Jack Coady/Coady Photography

Houston, Texas (October 29, 2005) - A field of nine fillies and mares took to the John Connally Turf Course for tonight's feature, the $40,000 Houston Chronicle Stakes. Rose Hunter, was the leader from start to finish under jockey Lonnie Meche drawing off to a five-length win. She covered 1 1/16 mile over a firm turf course in a time of 1:43.56.

Rose Hunter, a 4-year-old daughter of Jade Hunter was making the tenth turf start of her career for breeder/owner Royce Roberts of Kenai, Alaska. Trained by Tony Richey, the bay filly won a turf allowance at Louisiana Downs on September 25 and ran second in the $40,000 Cornucopia Handicap on October 9. Meche was pleased with her second place finish at Louisiana Downs as she broke from the far outside post. This evening’s trip was smooth sailing from the gate as she broke alertly and went quickly to a two-length lead. She covered the first quarter-mile in :23.76 and the half-mile in :47.98. At the top of the stretch, she extended her lead and drew clear.

“Last time, we had the outside post and I had to fight with her too much,” commented Meche. “She seemed much more comfortable today and gave me a tremendous kick down the lane. That’s what I knew I could expect from her.”

Pad The Wallet rallied for second under Jeffery Burningham. Trained by Sam David, Jr., Pad The Wallet was making her first start over the Connally Turf Course and ran well this evening.

"She likes the distance,” said Burningham. “I worked her the other day and she's no way near the same on the turf. She likes the track but we just couldn't catch the winner."

Rose Hunter returned $6.40 to win and earned $24,000 for tonight’s effort. The 3-8 exacta returned $42.80 and the trifecta with Voz De Colegiala paid $137.80. Lost Bride, Leo’s Baroness, Lady Mallory, Brackenberry, Chitchat Chitchat and Wild But Worth It, completed the order of finish. Paz Ciudadana was an early scratch.

Fred M. Faour, Sports Editor for the Houston Chronicle, was in the winner’s circle for the trophy presentation.

Live racing continues at Sam Houston Race Park on Wednesday, November 2. The schedule for November includes live racing each Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:00 p.m. with the exception of Thanksgiving day, Thursday, November 24.