Houston, Texas (February 24, 2008) - Sam Houston Race Park hosted the $50,000 Tomball Stakes Race, a 1 1/16 mile contest on the Connally Turf Course for horses ages four years old and up, on Saturday, February 23, 2008. The race proved to be an exciting highlight of the evening’s 10-race card as the field of 11 horses battled it out for top honors in what climaxed in a close finish. Five-year old gelding Scrappy Roo ($8.80) and veteran racer Sandburr shot down the back portion of the course in what appeared to be a nose-to-nose battle for victory. Scrappy Roo managed to hold off Sanburr in the final paces to win the race by a neck with a time of 1:45.48.

Scrappy Roo remains undefeated in the Thoroughbred meet, and this win marks his first stakes prize.

Sandburr finished second, 3 ¼ lengths in front of the John G. Locke-trained Flamefinder, with Bob McNair’s Stonerside Stable-owned General Charley landing in fourth place.

Martin Escobar, who jockeyed Scrappy Roo for the first time, stated, “We had a great ride, and it was a great experience for our first meeting.”

Assistant trainer Eduardo Ramirez, who saddled Scrappy Roo as Locke was at Oaklawn, said, “We know this horse can be very good and tried hard each time. We told Martin to sit off the pace; let him get out of the gates and stay behind the speed. They worked well together and won.”

Scrappy Roo is owned by Tawana Cantrell and trained by John G. Locke.

Jockey Jose Figueroa, who was a last minute change for original rider M. Cliff Berry, commented about the close finish aboard Sandburr, “Yea, we barely missed it. Mike Stidham told me to just sit right off the pace and when I make my move, just take him right outside. That's what I did, and I thought I rode a pretty good race.”

Sam Houston Race Park will host Texas Independence Day on Saturday, March 1, 2008, and a special St. Patrick’s Day event, including live Thoroughbred racing, Irish-themed food and drink specials and a variety of holiday promotions on Saturday, March 15, 2008.