HOUSTON, TX—MAY 15 2015—Making just his second official start, 4-year-old Zoomin Tac dueled early then took the lead to defeat Corona Blast by three-quarters in the $35,247 Bank of America Texas Maiden Challenge at Sam Houston Race Park Friday night. Fastest qualifier Jess Too Tempting finished three-quarters back in the show position.

Ridden by jockey Rodrigo Vallejo, Zoomin Tac completed his 350 yards test in :17.791 seconds to earn a 91 speed index. It was the second win in as many starts for the Jess Zoomin gelding and the $16,214 winner's purse boosted his career total to $17,714.

Unraced at 2 and 3, Zoomin Tac is owned by Roberto Resendez and trained by Alex Villarreal. The Burnett Ranches, LLC Texas-bred is out of Sexy Tac, by Tolltac.

A bargain $4,000 TQHA Sale Yearling in 2012, Zoomin Tac is a half-brother to RG2 winner Streakin Angelica ($100,209) and G2 placed Streakin La Tac ($46,810), the dam of Golden State Million Futurity(G1) winner Turbulent Times ($564,146) and Sunland Challenge Championship(G2) winner Testing The Ice ($350,498).

Bouncing off a fourth place finish to Zoomin Tac in the May 1 trials, Corona Blast races for owner Pete Scarmardo and trainer L. R. Jordan. Jerry Yoakum rode the Corona Cartel filly out of the Invisible Injun mare Algonquin. Bred in Oklahoma by Hal Earnhardt III, Corona Blast has finished second in four of nine career starts and picked up the $7,049 Bank of America Texas Maiden runner-up check to double her career mark to $14,324.

Entering the Bank of America Texas Maiden finals with the fastest qualifying time, Jess Too Tempting dueled early under jockey Luis Ramirez but hung to finish third for owner Jerry Chapman. Chapman and Wayne Hyde bred the son of Tempting Dash in Texas from the Mr Jess Perry mare Ms West Jess. Saddled by trainer Vicki McIlvain, the chestnut gelding added $3,525 to bring his bankroll to $6,895.

Completing the field were Pyc Runaway Wagon, Time For Wine, Ms Dashing Anchini, An Ocean N A Prayer, Potranco, Jazzing To The Blues and Corona Kidd Kat.

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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.