Racing


Dash Quick Perry Impresses In Sam Houston Derby Trials
Pete Scarmardo's homebred Dash Quick Perry rolls to the fastest time in the Grade 3 $197,700 Sam Houston Derby Friday night at Sam Houston Race Park.

© Coady Photography
Dash Quick Perry Impresses In Sam Houston Derby Trials

HOUSTON, TX—APRIL 14, 2017—Making his first start this season Dash Quick Perry rolled to a two-length win, under jockey Francisco Calderon, to set the fastest qualifying time for the Grade 3 $197,700 Sam Houston Derby Friday night at Sam Houston Race Park.

The 10 fastest qualifiers, from eight trial races contested tonight, will return to Sam Houston Race Park on Saturday, April 29th and vie for the $79,080 winner's purse going 350 yards.

The first of two-finalist saddled by trainer Leon Bard, Dash Quick Perry is a Down N Dash homebred racing for owner/breeder Pete Scarmardo.

The sorrel gelding, from the Mr Jess Perry mare Quickid Perry, covered the 350 yards in :17.356 seconds, a 102-speed index into an 8-mph head wind. The Texas-bred has compiled an (8) 4-2-0 record and earned $35,007. He was fourth in the Evangeline Downs Futurity in his last start in December.

Bard also trains 6th fastest qualifier Sochi Special, by Ivory James, for owner/breeder Pamela Stone.

Grade 3 John Deere Sam Houston Juvenile Challenge winner Maxx drew off to a one-length win under jockey Manuel Gutierrez, in the fifth trial to post the second fastest time of :17.421 seconds, a 99-speed index into an 8-mph headwind.

Rolando Almanza trains the son of leading sire Pyc Paint Your Wagon for owner Irma Vargas. Also, a finalist in the Grade 1 Texas Classic Futurity last season, Maxx has won four of seven starts and earned $86,524. Jim Gubas bred the brown gelding in Oklahoma from the Bully Bullion mare Bullions N Garters.

Almanza also conditions 9th qualifier Eagle Cry, a son of leading sire One Famous Eagle, for owners Irma and Giovanni Vargas.

AQHA Racing champion trainer Judd Kearl saddled a hat-trick on Friday's card including the final trial winner One Sweet Merlot. Ridden by jockey Rodrigo Vallejo who rode three winners Friday night, the lightly raced son of leading third crop sire One Sweet Jess completed the 350 yards in :17.501 seconds, a 97-speed index into the 8-mph headwind.

Making only his fifth career start, the winner of last year's John Deere Retama Park Juvenile Challenge has won three races and earned nearly $40,000. Vessels Stallion Farm LLC bred the sorrel gelding in Oklahoma from the Heza Fast Dash mare Onemoreglassofwine.

Kearl also saddled fourth fastest qualifier So Rapido, a Corona Cartel colt for owner Rachuan Suarez.

Ivory James was the only sire with multiple qualifiers getting two into the into April 29th final.

For the complete list of Sam Houston Derby qualifiers, times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers, and jockeys CLICK HERE.

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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.