HOUSTON, TX—MAY 12, 2012—The husband and wife team of Eve and Guy Hopkins had to wait for the photo finish, but were rewarded handsomely when their homebred, First Time Ta Town was declared the winner of the $21,870 Pfizer Animal Health Texas Starter Challenge Allowance on Saturday evening at Sam Houston Race Park.

Eve and Rodney Amos bred and owned the 4-year-old son of Brimmerton out of the First Place Dash mare First Raise. This was the fourth win in a row for the sorrel gelding, who narrowly edged The Field Cricket in the 350-yard feature in a final time of :17.517 seconds. Regular rider Luis Ramirez was aboard for the gelding's fourth consecutive win.

“Eve and Rodney raised this horse and have been partners on the dam,” said Hopkins. “We had some problems with him when he was two, but last year at Lone Star, he finally got sound and ran really well for us. His big old kick at the end got him there. Rodney said maybe we need to go farther, but first, we’ll go to Prairie Meadows.”

The Field Cricket faced tough company here on April 14 in the $100,000 Bank of America Texas Challenge Championship. The 4-year-old gelding by Lead The Field was second by a nose for trainer Jesse Yoakum and owner Claud R. Denson.

“He ran a really good race,” said rider Jerry Lee Yoakum. “We just got outrun, but he was game.”

First Time Ta Town, who also earned an invite to the $75,000 Pfizer Anmal Health Starter Allowance Championship at Prairie Meadows on October 27th, paid $6.20 for the win, earning a speed index of 101.

Cougar Hendricks, a 7-year-old Royal Shake Em gelding, owned and brd by Jolene McCord ran third. Saddled by Judd Kearl, he was ridden by Rodrigo Vallejo.

Completing the field were Oh My Gol Sis, Tooty Fruity Fish, Zoom Lightning, Kiss This Vision, La Esterlina, First Down Teller, Flash Dashin and Roho Go Jo Lema.

Special Afternoon Post on Sunday, May 13 for Mother's Day

Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 13, at Sam Houston Race Park will offer free admission for all ladies and will host a special post time of 1:00 p.m. The Winner’s Circle Restaurant will prepare a gourmet brunch featuring $2 Bloody Marys and Mimosas. The 2012 Quarter Horse meet will conclude on Saturday, May 19 with an afternoon post time beginning at 1:00 p.m. so that racing fans can enjoy live racing coupled with the simulcast of the 137th Preakness Stakes.

Sam Houston Race Park is Houston’s premier racing and entertainment facility, located just 15 minutes from downtown Houston, and offers a variety of attractions including 19 luxury suites overlooking the race track, The Pavilion Centre, and award-winning dining options at the Winner’s Circle Restaurant and the Champion Energy Services Jockey Club. Sam Houston Race Park Platinum Partners include Bud Light and Champion Energy Services.

For more information on upcoming shows, events and tickets, please visit www.shrp.com.