Page 185 - July 2022

Sam Houston 550 Stakes
DAK
Dby Michael Compton
ak overcame getting pinched at the break to
successfully defend his crown in the $53,500 Sam Houston 550 Stakes on June 18 at Sam Houston Race Park. Following a troubled take off, Dak
found himself last in the field of seven early in the 550-yard test. With a strong late surge under jockey Luis Vivanco, Dak rolled by his rivals approaching the wire to get up in time and score by a neck over A Fleeting Kiss.
Sent off as the even-money favorite, Dak stopped the clock in :28.262 and earned an 86 speed index for the thrilling come-from-behind victory. Owned by Blue Star Racing (Fisher and Porras) and trained by Toby Keeton, Dak improved his record to 21-5-5-0.
The $32,100 winner’s share of the purse increased his career earnings to $344,107. Dak scored in last year’s Sam Houston 550, finishing in a dead heat with Ghost Bear who also returned for the final this year, but was never a factor and finished 7th.
Dak, a six-year-old gray gelding out of the Fishers Dash mare Fleet Elis was bred in Texas by Bullard Farms. His connections had kept him away from the races since last July after undergoing stifle surgery. He returned with a runner-up effort in the $53,500 Harris County Stakes on May 20 in his first start of the season.
Jockey Claudio Aguilar rode 2nd place finisher
A Fleeting Kiss (Kiss My Hocks-Fleeta Dif TB) for owners Scott Sherwood and Amanda & Jeff Luke and trainer Lewis Jordan. The Eruption (The Louisiana Cartel-Ms Marshall Lewis), with jockey Victor Urieta Jr. in the irons, showed the way early and held third for owner Carlos Ponce and trainer Juan Diaz Jr. Followed by Patriot TLC (The Louisiana Cartel- Alamitos Rhythm), Eye Am Tuff (Carters Cartel- Loves Easter Bunny), Jax Louisiana Game (The Louisiana Cartel-Thunder Got Game), and Ghost Bear (Phantom Menace-Loose Play TB).
John Buchanan Memorial Colors of Houston P&A Mat.
ONTHEWINGSOFANEAGLE SOUTHERNELECTRIC
RACING NEWS
Oby John Moorehouse
nthewingsofaneagle scored her first stakes
victory on June 4, winning the $54,250 John Buchanan Memorial at Sam Houston Race Park.
The sophomore filly broke wll from the 4-gate and led by a 1/2-length at the first call. She doubled her advantage going into the stretch and continued to pull away, sporting a separation of 1 3/4-lengths by the time she hit the wire.
Trained by Patrick Clemons, Onthewingsofaneagle completed the 350-yard trip in :17.717, posting a 94 speed index.
The race for three-year-old Texas-bred fillies honored John Buchanan, a fixture as a trainer on the Texas Quarter Horse circuit for more than three decades, who passed away in 2020. Buchanan’s wife Iris and daughter Amanda presented the trophy to the winning connections in the winner’s circle.
The owners, War Eagle Racing and Sandy Coleman, banked a $32,550 payday that improved the filly’s total bankroll to $53,872.
Surgery limited the rookie campaign on Onthewingsofaneagle to a single out—a 330-yard maiden last May at Sam Houston that marked her only other victory. This was her fourth start.
Systymatic (Mr Jess Perry-Shescheckinumout) out-nodded Kas Shes EC (EC Jet One-Beaukas) for second place. Juan Diaz Jr. trains both horses.
The Sandoval Brothers own Sysymatic, who had Jose Herbert aboard. Francisco Garza owns Kas Shes EC, who was ridden by Victor Urieta, Jr.
The rest of the finishing order included Amateur Night (Kiss My Hocks-Just Another Natural) in fourth, followed by post-time favorite Babes FDD (FDD Dynasty-Thebabeisback), Easy Nights
(EC Jet One-All About Tonight) and Tempted to Celebrate (Tempting Dash-Zoomin N Celebrating). A Fast Ribbon, Jetsie Corona and Hallmarke were all scratched.
Wby Emily Paulk
orld Champion Southern Electric scored
his 9th stakes victory in the $34,000 Colors of Houston Paint & Appaloosa Maturity at Sam Houston Race Park on June 11.
Ridden by Cody Smith, the gelding broke from the 7-post and began dueling with early leader Seperate Wagons. Southern Electric made a driving finish to cross the finish line 3/4-length in front.
Running for trainer Lewis Jordan, the team completed the 350 yards in :17.980, while posting an 86 speed index.
Southern Electric added the $15,130 winner’s share of the purse to his already impressive bankroll, which now totals $304,413 for owners/breeders Dan & Kaye Jones. He now has a race record of 27-15(9)-6(3)-2(2).
The Jones’ bred Southern Electric out of lightly raced Ze Southern Girl QH, who has produced two winning Paint Horses, including stakes finalist Wired For Sound. Southern Electric is her first stakes winner.
Seperate Wagons APHA (Little PYC -Salle Rand QH) couldn’t hold on to the lead and had to settle for second under Ricardo Garza-Cruz for owner Ervey Balderas and trainer Frank Mendez.
Despite breakin in the pack of the pack, Secret Livewire APHA (CRM Livewire-Moonlight Who TB) made an impressive finish in third for owner 2LD Farm LLC. The Gary Jacobs trainee had Luis Vivanco aboard.
VP Cold Strong Heart APHA (This Cartel
Is Cold QH-Double Dashing Girl), Just Wishn APHA (Boknaai QH-Just Splashin), Dos Pennies APHA (Dash Master Jess QH-Double Dashing), De Quick Capo APHA (Capo De Capi QH-Ritas Quick Flash) and Little Party Wagon APHA (Little PYC-Anns Party Doll TB) completed the order or finish.
Sam Houston • $34,000
350 yards • :17.980 • si 86
Cartel Success QH
CRM Livewire
Elaina Go Go
SOUTHERN ELECTRIC APHA, ‘17-g.
Southern Cartel
Ze Southern Girl QH
Ze Special
Sam Houston • $54,250
350 yards • :17.717 • si 94
Mr Jess Perry
One Famous Eagle
One Famous Lady
ONTHEWINGSOFANEAGLE, ‘19-f.
Carters Cartel
Runaway Renata
Runaway Romance
Sam Houston • $53,500
550 yards • :28.262 • si 86
Dominyun DAK, ‘16-g.
Fleet Elis TB
Mr Jess Perry
Runaway Dee Dee
Fishers Dash
Fleeta Dif
SPEEDHORSE July 2022 183
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Coady Photography
Coady Photography