HOUSTON, TX—MAY 2, 2013—The Kat In The Hat broke his maiden in his second try Thursday evening as the drove to a three-quarter length win and the top qualifying time in the Grade 3 John Deere Sam Houston Juvenile Challenge at Sam Houston Race Park.

The 10 fastest qualifiers, from the 90 AQHA Racing Challenge enrolled two-year-olds who competed in 10 trial races Thursday night, will return to the Houston raceway on May 18 to vie for the winner's share of a $25,000-added purse. The winner will also garner a starting position in the Grade 2 $175,000 John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship to be run on Bank of America Challenge Championship Night, November 9 at Los Alamitos Race Course.

Coming off a third place effort in the Sam Houston Futurity trials on March 3, The Kat In The Hat dueled fellow qualifiers Se Little Brother, Orions Award and Tinaliciouis early before pulling off to win by three-quarters under jockey Cipriano Vidana. His time of :17.747, a 91 speed index with the help of a 25 mph tailwind was the fastest of the evening.

Jose Espinosa owns-and-trains the chestnut son of Red Oak Special from the Takin On The Cash mare Lets Roll Cat. Sherrie Morace bred the gelding in Texas.

“The weather conditions were tough for everyone,” said Espinosa. “This horse is a late (April) baby and was kind of green in his last race. But, he showed good speed and really surprised us last night.” The aforementioned Se Little Brother, a gelded son Royal Shake Em from the Kiptys Charger mare Hop Skip And Jump held to the third fastest time of :17.848 for owner Jimmy D. Moore. Royce Rogers bred the Angel Sanchez trainee in Texas. Luis Vivanco was riding.

Filimon Saucedo's Cristata put in an impressive effort while breaking her maiden by 1-¾ lengths in the first trial. Coming off a second place effort in the Sam Houston Juvenile Stakes, the Mr Jess Perry filly completed 350 yards in :17.828, the second fastest time.

With three seconds and 1 win in four starts, the stakes-placed filly has earned $15,020. Ridden by Eleazar Hernandez, Cristata was bred in Texas by Robert and Karen Nunnally. She is out of the Runway winner mare Shesa Winning Rose.

Dont Text That picked up her second straight win scoring a half-length win in the fifth trial for owners William and Debra Tiffee. Jesse Yoakum conditions the daughter of Jet Cartel bred in Texas by Bullard Farms. Ridden by Jerry Yoakum, the young filly broke her maiden on April 4th after a third place effort in her debut outing, the Sam Houston Futurity trials. Her time of :17.974 was the fourth fasterst of the night.

For a complete list of finalists, times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys to the John Deere Sam Houston Juvenile Challenge (G3) CLICK HERE.