Challenge


Dash Master Jess Rebounds in Bank of America Texas Challenge Championship at Sam Houston Race Park
Dash Master Jess, under jockey Manuel Gutierrez, put in a powerful performance to win the Bank of America Texas Challenge Championship at Sam Houston Race Park on Saturday.

© Coady Photography
Dash Master Jess Rebounds in Bank of America Texas Challenge Championship at Sam Houston Race Park

HOUSTON, TX—APRIL 12, 2014—Trainer Rolando Almarza thought that both of his qualifiers had a good chance of winning tonight’s $111,780 Bank of America Texas Challenge Championship (G2) at Sam Houston Race Park. He saddled Sixes Straw, who posted the fastest time in the trials, covering 440 yards in :21.833 seconds as well as ninth fastest qualifier, Dash Master Jess in the final.

Dash Master Jess was bumped in his trial, but had clear sailing in the final and scored, in effortless fashion, for owner Cesar Rosales of McAllen, Texas. With jockey Manuel Gutierrez aboard, Dash Master Jess broke alertly and never relinquished his lead, drawing clear in a final time of :21.742. Despite running into a 20 m.p.h. head wind, the sorrel horse earned a speed index of 102.

“We hoped for a good break,” said Almarza. “I’ve always believed that this horse could win anywhere. We’ve been very blessed and I can’t thank my owner enough for giving me this horse.”

The 4-year-old son of Mr Jess Perry won two stakes earlier this year at Hialeah and earned $51,419 this evening, increasing his lifetime earnings to $270,377. Scarlett Hill Farm, Inc. bred the sorrel in Texas from their champion producing Dash For Destiny mare Dash Master Miss.

“I told Rolando on Sunday that I had a dream that we would win this race,” said Rosales. “He has done a wonderful job with this horse.”

Almarza has been training for ten years and calls Indiana home. He has already won a stake this season at Sam Houston when Mi Angela captured the $20,000 Silestone Stakes on March 28.

“It is a dream come true to win a Grade 1,” added Almarza. “He’s out of a heck of a mare, Dash Master Miss who has produced winners earning over a half a million dollars.”

Second fastest qualifier, Pyro, ran second under Jose Alvarez.. The son of Make It Anywhere is bred and owned by Kathleen O Matey and conditioned by Judd Kearl.

“He stumbled out of the gate, but finished well,” said Kearl. “I was pleased with his race.” Making just his second start of the season, Pyro picked up $22,356. The 4-year-old qualified to both the Grade 1 Rainbow Derby and Grade 1 Dash For Cash Derby last season. Out of the Rare Form mare Rare Kayoh, Pyro has earned $110,049. Jose Alvarez had the riding assignment.

Claud Denson's The Field Cricket earned $11,178 for finishing third. Jesse Yoakum conditions the 6-year-old Lead The Field gelding out of Quick Lil Cricket, by Royal Quick Dash. Ridden by Jerry Yoakum, The Field Cricket was bred by Mary Denson in Texas. A graded stakes winner, he has earned $85,356.

Completing the field were The Sunday Assassin, Sixes Straw, Dw Runaway B, Runaway Wagon, Im A Feature Girl, Nash Jolla and El Duero.

Dash Master Jess ($7.00) will advance to the $350,000 Bank of America Challenge Championship (G1). The 2014 Bank of America Challenge Championships will take place at Prairie Meadows in Altoona, Iowa on Saturday, October 18.

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