No signal, no problem: Sam Houston weekend recap

Out-of-state simulcasting from Sam Houston did not resume this weekend as planned.

Officials from Sam Houston said in a statement released Friday that they felt more time was needed to evaluate the legal situation and “We will export our signal across state lines when we are confident that it can be done in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.”  

The controversy stems from a standoff between the Texas Racing Commission and the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, or HISA. The commission claims that any oversight from HISA would violate Texas law. The goal of HISA is to provide nationwide oversight and regulation on horse racing in an effort to increase safety and transparency.

All of the legal drama did not take away from the excitement on the track as Sam Houston posted full cards of live racing action Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

On Friday, jockey Ernesto Valdez-Jiminez posted three wins, taking the winners’ share in race two aboard Pinky Ring Bling, race six on Shamayim, and winning the nightcap on Mainline.

Blameitonmidnight won the biggest purse of the day in the eighth, an allowance race for fillies and mares four years old and up. The daughter of Midnight Lute came from off the pace and drew away in the stretch to pick up the win for trainer Alejandro Baldillez. Blameitonmidnight was ridden by Weston Hamilton.

Jockey Stewart Elliot led the charge on Saturday, taking three races. Elliot partnered with noted conditioner Steve Asmussen on two of the victories as North America’s leading trainer closes in on 10,000 career victories.

Saturday’s card featured two allowance optional claiming races with $30,000 purses. Tiz Magic bested a five-horse field of fillies and mares at least four years old in the third race on the turf. Tiz Magic is trained by Karen Jacks and was ridden by Iran Diego. The eighth race, for Texas-accredited female horses four years and up, was captured by Take Charge Woman. The winning trainer was J.R. Caldwell, and Luzzi rode the winner.

The card for Sunday featured three big-money races.

The fourth, a maiden special weight for three-year-old fillies on the turf, was taken by Rule Em All, a daughter of Uncle Mo trained by Jaylen Clary and ridden by Diego.

The ninth race, a six-furlong spring on the dirt for three-year-olds and up, was taken by Go West. Jose Alverez rode, and Brett Calhoun was the winning trainer.

In the last race of the weekend, Dose’s Dream, ridden by Floyd Wethey and trained by Alex Baldillez, defeated eight other runners to take home the winner’s share of the purse.

Checking in on our Sam Houston Horses to Watch:

Friday – Race 3 – Will the Thrill – Went to the front and was able to pull away, winning easily.

Saturday – Race 4 – Crazy Legs Hirsch – Finished third, after falling far behind, made a move late but was not able to catch the leading two.

Sunday – Race 3 – Lagoon – Finished just off the board in fourth.