HOUSTON, TX—MAY 17, 2019 —In a sweeping 5-wide move around the turn, Love Ta Zoom put a neck in front at the wire to win the $15,000 Governors’ Cup Marathon, the first race of the card at Sam Houston on Friday night.

Ricardo Garza-Cruz picked up his 11th win of the meet as he guided the 5-year-old gelding to the victory in the 870-yard event. Final time for the Marathon was 48.048 for a 71 speed index.

"I was told not to worry about the outside post," said Garza-Cruz. "He just came out running. I like this horse; ever since I rode him against Stolis Pro, I knew he was a fast horse!"

Love Ta Zoom ($7.40) had won two of his previous career starts at 870 yards. His best finish in a stakes race prior to Friday’s event was a second-place finish in the San Marcos Handicap at Retama in September, also at 870 yards.

Love Ta Zoom is trained by Kie Mushinski for owner and breeder Sue Fikes. He was bred in Texas by Azoom, out of the Royal Shake Em mare Loves Easter Bunny; Loves Easter Bunny was a multiple allowance winner at Sam Houston.

"He's just been unlucky with some of his races, always drawing outside," said Mushinski. "He was in good form this year, and was able to win from the six hole. There are a couple of 870 races at Retama Park, so that's where we'll run next."

Mountain Dew Man led for most of the race until he was passed at the wire by Love Ta Zoom. Mountain Dew Man was ridden by the current leading jockey of the Sam Houston meet, Francisco Calderon.

Trained by Arnold Lewis for owners and breeders Sarah and Abel Lopez, Mountain Dew Man has never finished out of the money at Sam Houston and now has five second-place finishes in 870-yard races. This was his first stakes appearance.

The front-running pair finished four lengths ahead of third-place finisher Snowbound Cowboy. Snowbound Cowboy was ridden by Luis Ruiz for trainer Janessa Muniz and owners Greta and Pete Guerra. All of his eight career wins have come around the turn, and he has finished in the money in 21 of his 37 starts at 870 yards.

Snowbound Cowboy is an 8-year-old gelded son of Snowbound, out of the Corona Cartel mare Strawberry Cartel. He was bred in Texas by Burnett Ranches, LLC.

Completing the field were Jack Ketel, No Habits Here and Toast Me Gone.