HOUSTON, TX—MAY 31, 2017—It was an action-packed opening night of the Sam Houston Race Park Quarter Horse meet with two AQHA world champions running on the nine-race program.

The first of two stakes on Friday's race card was the 350-yard Miss Sam Houston Stakes for accredited Texas-bred fillies and mares. Nine runners were entered, with Alluring Lil Menace closing gamely for the victory.

The 4-year-old daughter of Specially Alluring is owned by Almada Racing and trained by Josue Ponce. Scarlett Hill Farm Inc. is the breeder.

Jockey Luciano Duenez picked up the mount, originally assigned to Manuel Gutierrez and drew to a neck win over the field’s top money-earner Barefoot Beach.

It was the first stakes win for the 21-year-old rider, who was grinning ear to ear in the winner’s circle.

"Thank the Lord for everything and to (2016 Sam Houston leading jockey) Luis Vivanco for teaching me how to ride," said Duenez. "I appreciate Josue Ponce letting me ride this great filly. She stood good in the gates and was really coming at the end."

This was the fifth win from 10 starts for Alluring Lil Menace, who covered 330 yards in :16.653 seconds into a 12-mph head wind. The $12,000 winner's purse boosted her career earnings total to $28,315.

Sent off as the third betting choice, she paid $9.60 for the win. AQHA champion trainer Judd Kearl completed the superfecta with Barefoot Beach, Honey Ryder B and Political Dynasty.

Kearl saddled runner-up Barefoot Beach for owner Samuel Martinez. Bobby Cox bred the multiple stakes winning daughter of Ivory James in Texas from the Invisible Injun mare Babe On The Beach. Ridden by Noe Villatoro, Barefoot Beach earned $4,000 to booster her earnings total to $83,787.

Kearl also saddled third-place finisher Honey Ryder B, a daughter of Bigtime Favorite out of LS Honey Brown by Light On Cash. Matt and Cheri Cranmore own the 5-year-old mare. Bred by Bielau Oaks, Honey Rider B picked up $2,200 for third. Ridden by jockey Rodrigo Vallejo, the stakes-placed mare has earned $45,514.

Political Dynasty, Sr Esmeralda, Dm Maryanna, Shakem Valentine, Josefina Cruzin and Kool Deal completed the field.

Trials for the Sam Houston Maiden Classic on Saturday

Each of the twelve races on Saturday, April 1, are trials for the Sam Houston Maiden Classic. The fastest ten qualifiers of the 350-yard trials will advance to the final on Saturday, April 15. Last year's winner was the fastest qualifier, Pete Scarmardo’s homebred, Kid Can Dash, a 3-year-old son of Down N Dash, trained by Leon Bard and ridden to victory by Francisco Calderon.

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Sam Houston Race Park is Houston’s premier racing and entertainment facility, located just 15 miles from downtown Houston, and offers a variety of attractions including our Suite Level presented by Draft Kings, The Pavilion Centre, and award-winning dining options at the Winner’s Circle Restaurant and the Jockey Club. For more information on upcoming group events, racing events, shows and tickets, please visit www.shrp.com.