Racing continues at Sam Houston Race Park this weekend with Week 2 of the Thoroughbred meet
The Thoroughbred meet at Sam Houston Race Park will continue this weekend, with live racing taking place Friday through Monday. No stakes races are scheduled for this weekend, but each day of the weekend features a nine-race card, with eight races on Monday.
After the opening weekend, Ronnie Cravens and Karl Broberg are tied atop the trainer’s standings with three wins each. Cravens has out-earned Broberg slightly but has entered twice the number of horses to do so. Multiple trainers are just behind them with two wins. The trainer that could claim to be most successful is Lee Rossi, who had a perfect opening weekend, winning with both horses he started.
Ernesto Valdez-Jiminez had the best opening weekend for the jockeys and sits atop the standings with four wins. Lane Luzzi, Sahin Civaci, and Freddy Jose Manrrique all sit just behind the Valdez-Jiminez with three wins. Manrrique did boast the best win percentage at 33%.
In national thoroughbred racing news, Grade 1 Stakes winner Hot Rod Charlie has been retired to stud in Japan. Hot Rod Charlie was the winner of the Pennsylvania Derby (G1), the Louisiana Derby (G2), the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 (G2), and the Lukas Classic Stakes (G2). He was also placed second in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), the Kentucky Derby (G1), the Belmont Stakes (G1), and the Dubai World Cup (G1).
Hot Rod Charlie was the winner of the Secretariat Vox Populi Award in 2021, an award given to the horse that is a fan favorite each year. Fans appreciated the horse for his tendency to turn in solid performances at each start and because he traveled the world and participated in many high-profile races.
Shadai Stallion Station in Japan will stand Hot Rod Charlie for an announced fee of about $15,000. This is the same organization that has had success with American imports in the past, the most prevalent of those being 1989 Kentucky Derby winner Sunday Silence.
Horses to Watch
Friday – Race 5 – Aunt Gem – This mare is by Uncle Mo and is out of an A.P. Indy mare. The Asmussen-Elliot combo doesn’t hurt.
Saturday – Race 4 – Pinky Ring Bling – This gelding won the My Dandy Stakes last year and placed in several other black-type races. In his previous start, he finished 2nd in a $25,000 claiming race, and now he is in for $10,000.
Sunday – Race 8 – Grami’s Boy – By Bradester and out of an Early Flyer mare, this gelding won his last two starts before a layoff.
Monday – Race 3 – Rollin Chrome – This mare is by California Chrome and has finished on the board in six allowance or optional claiming races in a row. The one time she was off the board in her last seven starts was a stakes race at Remington Park.
