HOUSTON, TX—APRIL 22, 2017—Sam Houston Race Park also hosted the $28,440 Merial Texas Distaff Challenge Saturday evening. Trainer Leon Bard and jockey Francisco Calderon won the Merial Texas Distaff last year with Time for Wine and teamed up this year with Brookside. The 4-year-old mare by Brookstone Bay is bred and owned by Linda Loftis Tobias.

She made her 2017 debut off back-to-back wins last fall at Lone Star Park. Bard was not worried about coming off the layoff.

"We’ve had her for two years, so we kind of have her figured out," said Bard. She can be quirky, but always seems to run well fresh."

Calderon hustled his filly out of the gate and was able to withstand strong pressure from Barefoot Beach and Vallejo to his outside. He won by a neck in, covering 400 yards in :19.546 with a 16 mph tailwind.

"She was ready," said Calderon. "Last year he gave Time for Wine some time off and this filly was the same. The filly on my outside was with her, but she never gave up. She’s a little mean, but she puts her energy into her race."

Brookside has done well in the Challenge series. She was the fastest qualifier to the 2016 Adequan Texas Derby Challenge, running fourth in the final.

It was a proud celebration for Tobias and her daughter, Tiffany, who is a veterinarian.

"It’s a long tradition with the family line we breed," said Tobias. "I thank Leon and Francisco; they’ve done a spectacular job with her. My daughter, Tiffany, has been my guru!"

Out of the American Champ mare I Fly American, Brookside used the $12,798 winner's purse to boost her career mark to nearly $40,000.

"She has a ton of heart and a huge closing kick," added Tiffany.

Hr Chatter Wagon ran third, followed by Zenergetic. Brookside, sent off at 7-1, rewarded her supporters with a win payout of $16.40. She will advance to the $105,000 Merial Distaff Challenge Championship (G1) at Prairie Meadows on October 14.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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.