Houston, Texas (March 4, 2011) - Two graded stakes for Arabians were contested tonight at Sam Houston Race Park and the favorites in both prevailed in impressive fashion.

The fillies kicked the evening off in the $28,400 Yellow Rose, with Sanddpiper never relinquishing her lead in the seven furlong stakes. Jockey William Hollick, who won both stakes in 2010, guided the four-year-old filly deftly out of the gate, and outclassed her rivals by 8 1/2 lengths in a final time of 1:34.06. Bred, owned and trained by Bill Waldron of Brooksville, Florida, Sanddpiper was making her first start since her sixth-place finish in the Buzz Brauninger Arabian Distaff (G1) at Delaware Park on November 6. Hollick's pre-race instruction from Waldron was to make sure his filly kept to task. The gray daughter of Burning Sand willingly complied.

"She's a beautiful filly and still improving," said Hollick. "Bill told me she has a tendency to get lazy in the last 50 yards, but tonight, I knew I had the best filly in the race."

Tri Silkie Sands ran second for trainer Jerenesto Torrez and rider Paul Nolan, followed by Lenas Hot Philly, Virebe, Richly Kept, Vacation and Kan You Celebrate SWA.

Sanddpiper ($3,20) earned $14,000 for the victory and improved her lifetime record to five wins from seven starts.

It was another gray progeny of Burning Sand that took command in the second feature of the evening, the $28,450 Texas Six Shooter for Arabian colts and geldings. T M Fred Texas ($3.20), showed his dazzling turn of foot, winning his third consecutive race for owner Sam Vasquez of Galveston, Texas, and trainer Juan Antonio Ascencio. Jockey Jose Figueroa rode the four-year-old colt to victory at Lone Star Park and to an allowance win at Sam Houston on January 28 and the colt delivered another quality performance this evening.

"He is very easy to ride," said Figueroa. "I saw Eguard (Tejera) to my outside, but I hadn't even asked my horse. At the top of the lane, I smooched to him and he responded. This colt is very smooth, and I have a lot of confidence in him each time I ride."

TM Fred Texas was bred in Texas by Todd Moak and has won five of his career starts. He covered seven furlongs in 1:33.12, drawing off to a seven-length lead over Rich Frenchman with Eguard Tejera aboard and TM Let It Be, who was ridden by Erik McNeil. VIP, Jucy Pickins, Aim Hi and Tiki Tejas completed the order of finish.