Racing has returned to Sam Houston Race Park

The opening weekend at Sam Houston Race Park featured three days of exciting action, but the biggest races took place Saturday in the Texas Stallion Stakes Series.  

The Darby’s Daughter Division for three-year-old fillies was won by longshot Stelliot’s Legacy in her first start. The filly showed remarkable grit holding off challenges from Waving Bye and Izatiz after sitting just off the pace early. Stleliot’s Legacy, a daughter of Bradester, is trained by Carlos Padilla and owned by John Monday, Rodney Fleenor, and Lynn Haverkamp. Gerardo Mora was the winning jockey.

Izatiz made a late charge, flying down the stretch and passing Waving Bye for second but coming up just short of victory.

Bling Bling Bling, trained by Steve Asmussen, dominated the My Dandy Division for the colts, winning by better than four lengths. Stewart Elliot guided the son of Too Much Bling to the win, settling just behind the front runners before pulling away at the top of the stretch. Three horses finished together behind the winner, with Just Whiskey narrowly edging out My Favorite Song for second and I’m A Cowboy finishing just behind those two.  

This was the second win for Bling Bling Bling. The colt also finished first in the Staunch Avenger Stakes, the first leg of the Texas Stallion Stakes, last June at Lone Star Park. The colt is owned by William and Corrine Heligbrodt, and his pedigree is loaded with some of the best Texas-bred blood available. HIs Sire is Too Much Bling, and his mother is by My Golden Song, both of these horses are regularly featured at the top of the Texas sire lists.

The final leg of the Texas Stallion Stakes will take place on Feb. 18 at Sam Houston Race Park. Eligible colts will contest the Jim’s Orbit Stakes while the fillies will face off in the Two Altazano Stakes.

Racing at Sam Houston will resume next weekend. Sam Houston will host live racing on Monday, Jan. 16, due to the holiday. First post time is set for 1 p.m. every day.

Checking our horses to watch:

Friday – Race 8 – Princess Pauline – Finished second with a late kick; this was her first race after a layoff; she should improve next time out.

Saturday – Race 6 – Dude Perfecta – Finished eighth – Not a good showing.

Sunday – Race 8 Crooked Fellow – Came from behind to win, could be one to watch in stronger company.