2022 Texas Champions Day at Sam Houston

The pride of Texas breeders, owners, trainers and several Texas Thoroughbred Association (TTA) Champions will be on full display Saturday, March 26 when Sam Houston Race Park hosts Texas Champions Day. The 10-race card will get underway at 5:55 pm (CT) with several special events planned for horseplayers and fans considering owning a Texas Thoroughbred.

Texas Champions Day has been one of the most anticipated days of the annual Thoroughbred season since Sam Houston Race Park opened in 1994. The 2022 edition, set for Saturday, March 26, will shine the spotlight on the resurgence of Texas racing, showcasing the best thoroughbreds in the Lone Star State.

Purses for the seven features were increased to $100,000 in 2021 and will remain at this level again. Excellent weather is forecasted for Saturday and competitive fields have been drawn for each of the Texas Champions Day stakes. The 10-race card will get underway at 5:55 pm (CT).

Singapore Flash Eyes Third Turf Victory This Season in the $100,000 Richard King

Stakes action will get underway in the second race with seven turf specialists in the $100,000 Richard King Stakes for 4-year-olds and upward at a mile and one-eighth on the Connally Turf Course.

Triple V Racing LLC's Singapore Flash, who was the runner-up in the 2021 Richard King, has rocketed into prominence this season on the Sam Houston turf. The 6-year-old gelded son of Shanghai Bobby began the year with a solid allowance victory on January 20 for trainer J.R. Caldwell and jockey Lane Luzzi. He returned in the $75,000 Houston Turf here on February 19, defeating 2021 Texas Thoroughbred Association (TTA) Champion Older Horse Sunlit Song by a neck. His victory gave rising star Luzzi his first Sam Houston stakes score and was also very emotional for Caldwell.

"What a great finish with both horses laying it down the lane," said Caldwell. "My horse ran an awesome race, but to beat a champion like Sunlit Song was an awesome feat. I am appreciative of my owners buying Singapore Flash and letting me run him here."

Claimed for $40,000 last July at Colonial Downs, Singapore Flash has has never finished off the board at Sam Houston Race Park, and with the Houston Turf victory, has now won seven of his 22 starts and $217,875. He will break from post position six at odds of 2-5.

"He came out of that race in great shape," added Caldwell, who will also saddle Lethal Move for Farmers Fillies Racing. "Singapore Flash really likes the Houston turf course and five weeks between the two stakes allows him to settle in. We're taking a shot with Lethal Move and might be able to run 1-2!"

Their rivals include Moojab Jr owned by John L. Pierce, who won the 2021 Houston Turf for trainer Paul Duhon and rider Iram Diego. The 8-year-old son of Moojab has won ten of his 44 career efforts and tops Singapore Flash in earnings with $290,671 banked to date. Stans Hookin Bull, who ran third in the Houston Turf, will break from the rail under Leandro Goncalves. Trained by Karen Jacks, the 4-year-old colt, sired by Lookin at Lucky, was a turf allowance winner at Sam Houston Race Park last March for owners Diamond W Racing Stable and Desra Schlansky.

Mr Money Bags The One to Beat in the $100,000 Spirit of Texas

Accredited Texas-bred colts and geldings will take to the main track in the six furlong $100,000 Spirit of Texas Stakes.

Erma Cobb's Mr Money Bags returns off a 2 ¾ length victory in last month's $75,000 H-Town Stakes. Bred by her late husband, Roy Wayne Cobb, the 6-year-old Silver City gelding was named 2019 TTA Horse of the Year and is a true "horse for the course" at Sam Houston Race Park. He will make his 26th career start Saturday evening in pursuit of his tenth stakes victory. The striking gray has won stakes for the past four years, beginning with the 2019 Jim's Orbit and Groovy Stakes here and has earned $631,776 in his noted career.

Last year, both Mr. Cobb and Mr Money Bags trainer Mike Neatherlin passed away, which was tragic for the Texas racing community. Thankfully, Mrs. Cobb retained ownership of the accomplished runner and named Neatherlin's daughter Jaylan Clary as trainer. Jockey Ernesto Valdez-Jiminez returns on the 1-2 morning line favorite. Well-regarded as a sprinter, Mr Money Bags also delivered at seven furlongs in the H-Town.

"Even though my horse likes to go to the lead, I did not need to push him early," said Valdez-Jiminez. "I knew he had plenty left. He is the best horse I have ever ridden!"

The tears flowed for Mrs. Cobb following his February 19 stakes victory as she spoke about how much her late husband adored Mr Money Bags.

"Roy was definitely a horse person and loved coming to the races and watching them run," she explained. "He had so many offers to sell Mr Money Bags but turned them all down. He loved Mr Money Bags; we all do."

Carbon Stryker, who has been competing at Delta Downs most recently for trainer Karl Broberg, merits consideration in the Spirit of Texas. The 4-year-old Crossbow gelding won the 2021 My Dandy here under jockey Ry Eikleberry, who has the return call at odds of 5-1. Owned by Zachary Roush, Carbon Stryker will make his 21st career start with a record of four wins, seven seconds and three third-place finishes.

Caldwell and Farmer Fillies Racing team up with He's a Suitor, a 5-year-old son of Hat Trick (JPN). Jockey Stewart Elliott will pilot the gelding, who exits a turf claiming win here on February 22.

"Hats off to the great Texas champion Mr Money Bags," said Caldwell. "It would be an honor to run second to him!"

The Spirit of Texas is carded as the third race of the evening with an approximate post time of 6:55 pm.

Undefeated Chief Brady Takes on Seven Rivals in the $100,000 Groovy Stakes

The $100,000 Groovy Stakes, which will run as the fourth race on the program, features a field of 3-year-old colts and geldings squaring off at the distance of six furlongs.

Southwestern Racing LLC's Chief Brady broke his maiden impressively at Sam Houston Race Park on January 15 and stepped up to the stakes level with confidence one month later in the $75,000 Jim's Orbit. Jockey Jansen Melancon guided the chestnut son of Bradester before finding an opening on the rail and drawing off to a three-length victory. His final time, over the fast main track, was 1:12.20.

Melancon will guide the talented gelding out of the Mr. Nightlinger mare Indian Minnie for trainer Mindy Willis.

"This horse continues to impress me," said Melancon. "In the Jim's Orbit, I saw the rail open and took the opportunity. It's a great feeling when you really get along well with a horse. He worked super for his return on Saturday. I feel really good about his chances!"

Luckys Special drew the far outside post as he makes his stakes debut for breeder and owner Victoria Lynn Heine. The gelding by Special Rate broke his maiden in his January 22 debut at Sam Houston Race Park with two additional placings at the $50,000 allowance level. Trainer Michael Whitelaw sticks with rider Weston Hamilton.

Hall of Fame conditioner Steve Asmussen, who has won 13 leading trainer titles at Sam Houston, has entered Take A Limo. The My Golden Song gelding, bred and owned by Macassar Corporation, steps up to stakes competition off a impressive debut win on February 19. Last year's leading rider Stewart Elliott, who is in a close battle this season with Ry Eikleberry, has the call. Asmussen also trains Brant Shafer's homebred Ironical, a son of Too Much Bling who makes his third career start. This would be the fourth Groovy Stakes victory for Asmussen, who won with Balkan (2001); Roundabout Jones (2003) and Expect Will in 2004.

Caldwell looks to have a strong contender with Highlander Training Center's Legally Lethal. The son of 2011 Florida Derby (G1) champion Dialed In broke his maiden in gate-to-wire fashion here on March 11 with Lane Luzzi aboard.

An advance for the $100,00 San Jacinto Turf Stakes, $100,000 Yellow Rose Stakes, $100,000 Bara Lass and $100,000 Star of Texas will be sent tomorrow.

Discreet Smile and No Mas Tequila Renew Their Rivalry in the $100,000 San Jacinto Stakes

One year ago, the $100,000 San Jacinto Stakes quickly became a two-horse race as Discreet Smile and No Mas Tequila hooked up at the top of the stretch and dueled down to the wire in one of the most exciting races of the Texas Champions Day program.

Sylvia Baird's homebred Discreet Smile was declared the winner in the photo finish as the daughter of Discreet Cat defeated post-time favorite No Mas Tequila by a head in the mile and one-sixteenth feature over the Connally Turf Course.

Discreet Smile will return with Iram Diego in the saddle as last year's pilot, Sophie Doyle is expecting her first child. Johnny Johnston, Jr. has taken over the training duties as the highly respected conditioner Larry Stroope suffered a heart attack and passed away on January 7, 2022. Johnston and Stroope were close friends for six decades and the Texas horseman admitted that saddling Discreet Smile will be very emotional.

"It's going to be very different without Larry," acknowledged Johnston. "We have been working together for a long time; I handled the Texas horses while Larry ran some in Oklahoma. Many people do not know that Larry's father, James, was one of the forces in bringing pari-mutuel racing to Texas. Larry cast a big shadow in our industry, literally and figuratively. It would mean a lot for Discreet Smile to win this for Larry."

The multiple stakes winning 6-year-old mare will face her stiffest challenge from No Mas Tequila, who defeated ten fillies and mares here last month in the $75,000 Miss Bluebonnet Turf Stakes

The 5-year-old daughter of Northern Afleet was bred by Ronald Ellerbee and his wife, Margaret Ellerbee. Owned by James Sills and the estate of Ronald Ellerbe, she came off the layoff in top form for trainer Karen Jacks. She drew the rail and will reunite with jockey Leandro Goncalves.

"We didn't have a prep race for her, but she was fine," said Jacks. "Leandro has been working her and she fired fresh and ready in the Bluebonnet."

Longshot Tahitian Breeze who rallied for second Zarelda who completed the trifecta in the Miss Bluebonnet Turf, are also entered.

The San Jacinto Stakes will run as the fifth race on the program with an approximate post time of 7:55 pm.

Defending Champion Ima Discreet Lady Returns in the $100,000 Yellow Rose Stakes

A very competitive field of fillies and mares will compete in the $100,000 Yellow Rose Stakes.

In last year's edition, Ima Discreet Lady edged out Shes Our Fastest in a photo finish and both mares will be back in action Saturday night in the six furlong main track feature.

Ima Discreet Lady has won 10 of her 33 career starts for owners Raymond Todd White and Duane Coker with stakes victories here in the 2019 Bara Lass and 2021 Miss Bluebonnet Turf as well as last year's victory in the Yellow Rose. The 7-year-old Discreet Cat mare was bred by Larry Huntsinger, out of the Too Much Bling mare Ima Three Blinger. Ry Eikleberry has the return call for trainer Karl Broberg and will break from the rail as the 2-1 second choice. Boerne who returns to the main track off a fourth-place finish last month on the turf, is the 8-5 morning line favorite for trainer Robertino Diodoro and jockey Lane Luzzi.

"We've had this mare since day one and couldn't be happier to have her in the barn," said Broberg. "She's doing great and loves Sam Houston. I'm not crazy about drawing the rail, but she beat Boerne sprinting last year."

White, who picked her out of the TTA 2-year-old in Training Sale with Broberg, credits Broberg for the success of the gray mare who has earned $414,228.

"Karl has been a blessing for us," stated White. "He's campaigned this filly like no other. Everything he has done with her has been perfect!"

Mark Norman and Norman Racing Stables LLC's Shes Our Fastest will be ridden by Richard Eramia and was honored last weekend by the Texas Thoroughbred Association as 2021 TTA Champion Older mare. The 7-year-old daughter of Oratory is trained by Jayde Gelner, son of conditioner Scott Gelner. A top placing would vault the accomplished mare over the $500,000 earnings mark, which would be the first for the Gelner barn.

"Shes Our Fastest is a family member for us," said Jayde, known as JJ. "My dad and the Normans purchased her for $50,000, so to see her so close to the half-million dollar mark is really special."

Texas Thunder Goes for her Third Stakes of the Meet in the $100,000 Bara Lass Stakes

The seventh race on the Texas Champions Day card will showcase 3-year-old Texas accredited-bred fillies in the $100,000 Bara Lass Stakes. A field of eight will compete at six furlongs on the main track.

Texas Thunder, owned by Carl Moore Management LLC has topped her rivals in both the $75,000 Darby's Daughter on January 20 and one month later in the $75,000 Two Altazano at Sam Houston Race Park.

Bred in Texas by Robert Francis, the daughter of Bradester, will reunite with jockey Ernesto Valdez-Jiminez as she attempts to win her third stakes of the meet for trainer Karen Jacks.

"She digs in and really shows her grit, " said Jacks. "She's built like a Quarter Horse and runs like one. They gave her a run for the money in the Bara Lass. We are all very proud of her."

Eagle Express, bred and owned by W.S. Farish, was named 2021 Champion 2-year-old filly by the Texas Thoroughbred Association. The daughter of Eagle broke her maiden last June at Lone Star Park and then tested very tough company in the Grade 3, Schuylerville at Saratoga. Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, 13-time leading Sam Houston Race Park trainer. The bay filly exits two runner-up finishes this season, but Asmussen feels she is capable with Stewart Elliott aboard.

"She needs a better start," said Asmussen. "If she is able to run a little cleaner, she has a good chance."

David L. Davis' Tolanda is another capable entrant. Sired by Bind, she has won two of her four starts and ran third in the $50,000 Zia Princess last November at Zia Park for trainer Austin Gustafson.

Defending Champion Direct Dial Faces Eight in the $100,000 Star of Texas

The final Texas Champions Day feature, the $100,000 Star of Texas Stakes features another prominent Texas Champion honoree Direct Dial, who will take on eight rivals in the one-mile main track stakes.

Owner and bred by W.S. Farish, the 7-year-old by Too Much Bling and out of the Mineshaft mare Fast Find, has won 11 of his 36 career starts, banking $545,931 to date. The noted Texas-bred is a stakes winner dating back to 2018 and was honored as the Texas Thoroughbred Association (TTA) Horse of the Year.

"He won this race last year and I believe he can recreate with positive circumstances," stated Asmussen. "He is a gorgeous animal and one that our entire team admires and respects."

Jockey Stewart Elliott, who won the Sam Houston riding title last year and is locked in a close battle this meet with Ry Eikleberry, looks forward to riding Direct Dial.

"He's such a cool horse," said Elliott. " Nothing bothers him, and I know he can handle a mile. Last year, I asked him to settle, and he did his job. Steve puts me on great horses and makes my job easy."

Algebra owned by Farmer Fillies Racing will break beside Direct Dial with Lane Luzzi aboard. The 5-year-old Algorithms gelding won a mile allowance here on opening weekend before finishing second to Mr Money Bags in the seven-furlong H-Town on February 19.

"He ran a big race in the H-Town," said trainer J.R. Caldwell. "We claimed him and he's rolling along well this meet. We're glad to be in the mile and not sprinting against Mr Money Bags!"

Kenai Bob, who was the runner-up to Direct Dial last year, is also in the field along with 2020 Jim's Orbit champion Gold Pilot.

The Star of Texas runs as race nine with an approximate post time of 9:55 pm.

In addition to the exciting live racing card, the following promotions and special events will take place throughout the evening.

Texas Champions Day Wagers and Mandatory Payouts

There will be plenty of wagering opportunities for horseplayers on the Texas Champions card. Two Pick 4 wagers will be offered, and mandatory payouts will be in effect for the early Pick 5, late Pick 5 and Space City Pick 6, which begins in race five.

OffTrackBetting.com - US Legal Sam Houston Race Park OTB is a great way to bet horse racing at the Texas racetrack. Available to customers across the United States, OTB features both Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing from major racing venues in the US as well as top international racing from Europe, Japan, Australia and Hong Kong.