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Jack Ketel Wins First Stakes In Front Running Score in the $25,000 Governors' Cup Marathon
Jack Ketel, under jockey Eliazar Vera, drew away from the field Saturday to win the Governors' Cup Marathon by four-lengths at Sam Houston Race Park.

Jack Ketel Wins First Stakes In Front Running Score in the $25,000 Governors' Cup Marathon

HOUSTON, TX—MAY 12, 2018—The final night of the 2018 Sam Houston Race Park Quarter Horse meet kicked off with stakes action this evening (Saturday).

Diamond L. Racing's Jack Ketel drew the enviable rail post position in the $25,000 Governors' Cup Marathon and drew off to his first career stakes victory.

The 6-year-old son of Ketel Won was making his 16th start and prepped for this with an 870-yard claiming win here on Aprils 16. jockey Eliazar T. Vera had the return call and guided the bay gelding to victory in :45.856 seconds into a 15 mph head wind.

Trainer Arnold Lewis was proud of his stakes winner and gave credit to his son. Brooks, Who gallops and "pretty much does it all".

The winning connections of Jack Ketel gather in the Sam Houston Race Park winners' enclosure to accept the Governors' Cup Marathon stakes trophy on Saturday.
© Coady Photography
Lewis knew his charge was facing some tough rivals, including multiple stakes winner Fire On The Fly, but felt he deserved a chance.

"It's been a long time coming," said Lewis. "It was a step up in class, but we thought we'd give it a shot. We like to have fun and that will take place tonight!"

Bred by Joe and Elaine Mcannally, Jack Ketel ($5.40) has now won six of his 16 career efforts. He earned $15,000 this evening, increasing his overall bankroll to $39,289.

Tars Tarkus, under jockey Francisco Calderon ran second. Saddled by trainer Jimmy Padgett II, the son of Tac It Like A Man races for owners Jonathan Brandy and Rick Cline. Bred in Arkansas by Corner K Horses, LLC, from the Six Fortunes mare Sixy De Cash, Tars Tarkus earned $5,000 for the effort.

Tommy Bullard's multiple graded winner Fire On The Fly finished 4 ½ lengths back in third under jockey Jerry Lee Yoakum. Also trained by Bullard, the Jet Cartel 8-year-old is out of Shades Pink (TB) by Fight Over (TB). He has earned $219,478.

Streakin Tenaya, Jess Killistos and Shake Rarrle N Soar completed the field. Love Ta Zoom was an early scratch.

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Sam Houston Race Park, Houston’s premier racing and entertainment facility, is located just 15 miles from downtown Houston, and offers a variety of attractions including 16 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 group events, racing events, shows and tickets, please visit www.shrp.com.