Challenge


Jess Bein The Hero Flawless In Bank Of America Texas Challenge (G2) At Sam Houston Race Park
Jess Bein The Hero, under jockey Jorge Linares. Winning the $67,680 Bank of America Texas Challenge Championship (G2) at Sam Houston Race Park.

© Coady Photography
Jess Bein The Hero Flawless In Bank Of America Texas Challenge (G2) At Sam Houston Race Park

HOUSTON, TX—APRIL 21, 2018— Jess Bein The Hero entered the starting gate for tonight’s $67,680 Bank of America Texas Challenge Championship (G2) at Sam Houston Race Park in search of his fourth consecutive victory.

With jockey Jorge Linares in the irons, the 5-year-old Texas-bred not only added to his win streak but proved his fortitude at the "classic" distance of 440-yards.

Owned by Juan F. Martinez-Labastida and bred in Texas by Curtis Crenwelge, Jess Bein The Hero is a son of Valiant Hero out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Jess Braggin. He had never run a 440-yard race before his trial here on March 31, which he won and set the fastest qualifying time.

This evening, breaking from the rail, he immediately went to the lead and powered home in :21.678 seconds, a margin of 2 ½ lengths ahead of Rc Me Leavin You. Racing into a 12-mph head wind over a fast track, he earned a speed index of 95.

AQHA Chief Racing Officer Janet VanBebber presents the Bank of America Sam Houston Challenge Championship trophy to winning connections of Jess Bein The Hero.
© Coady Photography
Trainer Abelardo Flores, Jr. was pleased when his charge drew the far inside post.

"I knew he would run well as the inside has been really good lately," commented Flores. "We’ll see how he comes out of the race and where we will go next."

"He is a great horse and I thank the owner for giving me this opportunity," said Linares.

The stars and moon were in pretty good alignment Saturday night for trainer Jimmy Padgett with Rc Me Leaving You running second and Flyingforunclesam completing the trifecta.

Rc Me Leaving You is a 6-year-old son of Coronas Leaving You owned by Bennie and Teri Jeter. He earned $13,536 for his runner-up finish under jockey Rodrigo Vallejo, surpassing the $200,000 earnings mark this evening.

Flyingforunclesam, owned by Kirk Goodfellow, was ridden by Jose Martinez. However, the stakes-placing at Sam Houston Race Park was overshadowed by Padgett saddling stakes winners Valiant Rogue in the $50,000 Bob Moore Memorial and Df Aj Green Leaves in the $317,400 Remington Park Derby.

Tellereyematthebar, bred and owned by James Hrabovksy and J. Leann Nalls, completed the superfecta. Dash Quick Perry, Careless Lightning, Ipolito and Crying Eagle completed the order of finish. (Wild Tycoon, and Eos Corona N Chicks were scratched.

Jess Bein The Hero ($3.80) has now won nine of his 12 starts, and earned $31,133 for the victory, increasing his career bankroll to $144,086.

He will represent Texas in the $250,000 Bank of America Challenge Championship (G1), which will take place November 17 at Los Alamitos in Cypress, California.

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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.