Houston, Texas (Saturday, February 21, 2015) - Tonight's feature at Sam Houston Race Park was the $50,000 Sam Houston Sprint Cup Stakes. In a very exciting finish, Ghost is Clear, with leading rider Deshawn Parker in the irons, came flying in the final furlong to take the six-furlong feature.

Owned and trained by Mike Maker, the seven-year-old son of Ghostzapper shipped to Houston in pursuit of his third consecutive win. Parker was aboard for his seven-length score in an optional $50,000 claiming sprint on December 20 and had tremendous confidence in his mount this evening.

"He made a really good run tonight," said Parker. "Last time I rode him at Turfway, he wanted the lead. Tonight, he came off the pace and had a really good kick. Mike told me last time to let him break and do his thing, and that's what I did."

Parker noted that his mount had no difficulty making the adjustment from polytrack to the main dirt surface at Sam Houston.

"He loved it; this track is beautiful," said the winning pilot.

Daybreak Dreamer ran second by a neck at odds of 14-1. The Oklahoma-bred is owned by Gary W. Doan and trained by Kari Craddock.

"He ran a great race," said jockey Lindey Wade. "I had to go early; I really thought he could do it."

This was the 13th win from 38 starts for Ghost is Clear, who crossed the wire in 1:10.86.

Maker was not in Houston this evening but continued his solid streak with shipping quality runners here. He won the Grade 3, $200,000 Connally Cup with Coalport and the $50,000 Jersey Village with Magna Breeze earlier this meet.

Ghost is Clear was sent off as second choice in the nine-horse field and paid $6.80 for the win. 2013 Delta Jackpot winner Rise Up made up some ground under jockey Gerard Melancon to finish third, with Remington Park stakes winner Johnny Whip completing the superfecta.

All N All Wins the $30,000 Yellow Rose and Paddys Day Victorious in the $30,000 Texas Six Shooter Arabian Stakes

Arabians were featured in two graded stakes tonight at Sam Houston Race Park. In the $30,000 Yellow Rose for fillies and mares, All N All, who won at first asking last October at Delaware Park, stepped confidently into stakes company. With rider Kirsten Swan in the irons, the four-year-old daughter of Dahess went wire-to-wire, covering seven furlongs in 1:35.96. Owned by Cre Run Enterprises LLC and trained by Lynn Ashby, the bay filly paid $10.40 to win. RB Frynch Broad closed for second under Ernesto Valdez-Jiminez.

Six Arabian colts and geldings followed in the, $30,000 Texas Six Shooter, with Paddys Day ($3.40) capturing the seven furlong stakes in 1:36.67. Jockey Kelsi Purcell rode the Burning Sand colt for owners Quarter Moon Racing LLC and trainer Scott Powell. Running second was Lazur Hess, ridden by Jacob Radosevich.

Mia Wins the 2015 Derby Dog Race

Houston's fastest small dogs of many breeds delighted an enthusiastic crowd this evening as Sam Houston Race Park hosted the first ever Derby Dog Race. The event featured small canines racing a distance of approximately 20 yards in between live Thoroughbred horse races.

A total of 48 dogs headed to the starting gate in trials with six qualifiers returning for the final. Making her debut in canine competition was Mia, an 18-month Havanese, owned by Tina Sutton of Deer Park. The diminutive canine dashed willingly to Sutton's daughter, Callie, in her qualifying race and outran Boomer, a dachshund owned by Brad Lawson of Austin, Texas in the final.

Mia was awarded the top prize of $300 and posed happily in the winner's circle.