HOUSTON, TX—APRIL 8, 2017—Sam Houston Race Park hosted 18 trials over two nights (Friday and Saturday) for the richest race of the 2017 Quarter Horse Meeting, the $483,600 Sam Houston Futurity (G2).

The five fastest qualifiers from both evenings will advance to the final which is set for Saturday, April 29. The winner will join a noted list of Sam Houston Futurity champions, which includes 2014 AQHA Racing Champion 2-year-old colt, Kiss My Hocks; Azoom; Snowy Alibi, Sassmaster, Jess Tee Off and Just Call Me Carter.

Friday's eighth trial of the evening produced the fastest qualifier from day 1 when Kas Tempting posted an impressive gate-to wire debut under rider Luis Vivanco (see related story).

On Saturday night, This is an Eagle owned by Mary G. Lynne Thompson won the fourth trial in a time of :16.757 second for the fastest qualifying time from day 2.

The colt by leading sire One Famous Eagle out of the Frist Down Dash mare Lady Lilia, was bred in Texas by Pete Scarmardo. Lady Lila, a half-sister to champion sire Desirio also produced Friday's second fastest qualifier This Is A Deal Too.

Francisco Calderon had the mount on This Is An Eagle, breaking from the rail into a stiff 12-mph head wind, and drew off by three-lengths over Gianni Bailes.

The speedy juvenile was purchased for $100,000 at the 2016 TQHA Yearling Sale, and trainer Leon Bard was pretty certain he would impress in his debut.

"I knew the first time we worked him," said Bard. "Mary Lynne is a great owner and stepped up to purchase this horse. Pete raised him; we think he’s the real deal."

Calderon, who won last year’s Sam Houston Futurity with Just Call Me Carter, is in total agreement with Bard.

"I told Leon back in December that this was going to be my best horse," said Calderon. "He is so fast and good in the gates too."

Bard, who is always quick with an amusing comment, was asked if he had thought about which jockey might ride (Friday night qualifier) This Is A Deal Too with Calderon choosing to stay on This is An Eagle.

"Heck, I’ve got riders who told me they’d come clean stalls if I gave them the mount," he replied.

Calderon, 23, was born in San Antonio, Texas, and has been riding professionally since 2012. In addition to winning the rich Sam Houston Futurity last year, Calderon was the winning pilot aboard Tee Chic in the 2015 Oklahoma Futurity at Remington Park.

Another TQHA Yearling graduate Nocturnes defeated Lj Fastest Time by a neck in the seventh trial to get the second fastest time on Saturday of :16.977 seconds. Also, ridden by Calderon, the Ivory James colt races for owner Agustin Hernandez is trainer Angel Sanchez.

Bobby D. Cox bred Nocturnes in Texas from the One Famous Eagle mare Corazonase. He brought a final bid of $18,000 from Hernandez last summer.

Racing for owner/breeder Elizabeth Vivanco, Ljs Fastest Time held on to the third fastest Saturday time of :16.986 seconds. The colt by third crop sire The Louisiana Cartel was a $22,000 repurchase in last year's TQHA Yearling Sale. Jose Sanchez trains with Luis Vivanco riding. Lj Fastest Time is out of Rise Eagle by One Famous Eagle.

JA Am I Blue, a $4,200 2016 Heritage Place Winter Mixed short-yearling posted the fourth fastest time of :17.035 seconds after an impressive 1½ length win in the fifth race Saturday. JA Am I Blue races for owner Irma Vargas.

Rolando Almanza conditions the son of multiple stakes sire Jess Louisiana Blue form the Strawfly Special mare Teki Cetan. Joe Allen and Dallas Blakley is the breeder.

Lena Cartel, by Carters Cartel, kicked Saturday's trials off with a 1½ length victory for owners Meg and David Brown. Bobby D. Cox bred the $40,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale graduate in Texas from the Mr Jess Perry mare Miss Lena Perry. Champion trainer Judd Kearl saddled with Rodrigo Vallejo riding to clock the fifth fastest time of :17.040 seconds.

For a list of the Sam Houston Futurity(G2) qualifiers from both nights including, times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, jockeys and trainers CLICK HERE

The second five fastest from each night of trials are preferred invites for the $48,360 Sam Houston Juvenile, also to run back on April 29th. CLICK HERE for that list.

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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.