Challenge


EC Cartel Returns in Sam Houston Distance Challenge
EC Cartel will make his 8-year-old season debut in Saturday’s 870-yard AQHA Sam Houston Distance Challenge at Sam Houston Race Park.

© Coady Photography
EC Cartel Returns in Sam Houston Distance Challenge

BY MICHAEL CUSORTELLI

HOUSTON, TX—APRIL 11, 2017—Alejandra Carrion’s EC Cartel, a homebred son of Tinys First Corona, will make his 8-year-old season debut in Saturday’s 870-yard, $18,900 AQHA Sam Houston Distance Challenge at Sam Houston Race Park.

EC Cartel will be making his first start since November 23, when the gelding ran third, 2 3/4 lengths behind winner Executive Trust, in the 870-yard King Rick Rack Stakes at Zia Park in New Mexico. EC Cartel earned $29,516 from five outs last year, and his resume included a 1 1/2-length victory in the October 1, $20,000 AQHA Lone Star Distance Challenge at Lone Star Park.

EC Cartel drew post 2 and will be ridden by Donell Blake for trainer Judd Kearl. The gelding’s five opponents include Stolis Pro, a homebred 6-year-old son of champion Stoli campaigned by Jerry Windham of College Station, Texas. Stolis Pro ended his 5-year-old season with two open-condition 870-yard allowance wins at Lone Star Park.

Stolis Pro is trained by Leon Bard. The gelding drew post 6 and will be ridden by Francisco Calderon.

The complete lineup, in post position order including jockey assignments--

  1. Bet I Make U Famous (Alfonso Lujan)
  2. EC Cartel (Donell Blake)
  3. Brookstone Dash (Damian Martinez)
  4. Jess Twice (Julio A. Rodriguez)
  5. The Field Cricket (Jerry Yoakum)
  6. Stolis Pro (Francisco Calderon).

All Sam Houston Race Park races can be seen at Q-RacingVideo.com.