HOUSTON, TX—MARCH 23, 2015—The first stakes of the Quarter Horse racing season is the 550-yard Harris County Stakes. A full field will compete on Saturday night, with The Field Cricket installed at odds of 3-1.

Claud R. Denson owns the 7-year-old Texas-bred, who has won 9 of his 33 career starts. In 2014, he captured the $39,000 Red Cell Distance Challenge at Lone Star Park. Trainer Jesse Yoakum has given the mount to Luis Vivanco, who will break from post-position seven.

Trainer Kie Mushinski was pleased with the runner-up effort of will saddle the entry of Corona La Jolla and Sophies Special in the Harris County Stakes. Both are owned by Kie's wife, Donna. Corona La Jolla, an 870-yard distance specialist, was the runner-up in this feature last year, and will be ridden by Alfonso Lujan.

“He’s more of an 870-yard horse, but he's sound and can compete at 550,” said Mushinski. “I was pleased to get Alfonso; he's as good as they come.”

Sophies Special, a 6-year-old mare, posted a career-best Speed Index of 107 last November at Lone Star Park.

"She put up a good number in that 550 yard race at Lone Star and deserves a shot in stakes company," commented her trainer.

Last year's edition of the Harris County Stakes was the beginning of a remarkable journey for Dana and Brian Stroud. The couple owned and trained JRC Callas First, who was a dominating three-length winner under rider Damian Martinez. The Texas-bred son of Winners Award, followed that victory up with a relentless 2015 campaign, winning seven stakes in a row, culminating with a victory in the $150,000 Zia Park Championship.

On January 21, the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) announced their 2014 Champions and Jrc Callas First received the highest honor: AQHA World Champion. It was a proud moment for the Texas couple.

"I almost fell backwards into the plant," admitted Dana. "We never dreamed we would own a world champion, but he just kept improving. Brian doesn't like to boast, but I think after he won the Refrigerator (at Lone Star Park), he knew how special our horse was."

Jrc Callas First had a small chip removed from his knee and is swimming his way back to health with the $50,000 Sam Houston Classic on May 9 on the radar.

Josh Abbott Band Opens Spring Concert Series
At Sam Houston Race Park

The 2015 American Quarter Horse Meet will feature the entertaining post-race concert series announce the 2015 Post Race Concert Series on the Bud Light stage, will take place most Saturdays beginning on March 28 and concluding on May 16. These live performances are free with $7 live racing admission before 8 pm, and $20 after 8 pm. Tickets purchased on line in advance are just $14 for after 8pm entry. The following performers will follow the last of 10 Quarter Horse races each evening.

• March 28 - Josh Abbott Band
• April 11 - Easton Corbin
• April 18 - Roger Creager
• May 1 - Jason Boland and the Stragglers
• May 9 - Casey Donahew Band
• May 16 - Cody Johnson* - Special Concert on Preakness Day also featuring Cory Morrow and Gary P. Nunn

*This concert will start at 6pm.

Tickets are available online at www.shrp.com, at participating Houston-area Randall’s locations, or by calling 800-211-3381.

Post times for the 2015 Quarter Horse Meet are set for Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 6 p.m. Special 1 p.m. post times are set for Saturday, May 2 (Kentucky Derby); Sunday, May 10, (Mother's Day); and Saturday, May 16,( Preakness), the final day of the meet.

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