Shake Em Rocks, under jockey Joseph Gordon Jr., winning the $15,000 Texas Twister Dash at Sam Houston Race Park.

© Coady Photography

HOUSTON, TX—MAY 17, 2019—The $15,000 Texas Twister Dash lived up to its name on Friday night at Sam Houston, but Shake Em Rocks emerged victorious in the 110-yard dash.

It was the first stakes race for Shake Em Rocks, but more notably, it was the first mount for her jockey, Joseph Gordon, Jr. in 18 years. Gordon had previously worked as a jockey as well as a trainer and an assistant starter.

"It's an awesome feeling," said Gordon. "Since I retired, I've been an assistant trainer, worked the gate, but getting my license and working horses has been amazing. I knew I couldn't lose tonight because she is such a nice filly and I had so many people here supporting me."

Final time for the 110-yard stake was 7.220; the winner earned a 75 speed index.

The winning connections of Shake Em Rocks accept the Texas Twister Stakes trophy at Sam Houston Race Park Friday night. © Coady Photography

Owners Betty and Bob Moore bred the filly in Texas, by Rock Solid Jess and out of the Royal Shake Em mare Shake Em Fever.

The Moores also owned and bred Shake Em Fever, a multiple graded stakes winner whose career accomplishments included victories in the 2004 TQHA Sires Cup Futurity (G2), 2006 Barnmaster Spring Stakes (G3) and the 2007 Texas Distaff Challenge (G3), all at Sam Houston.

Roger “Bubba” Moore trains the 4-year-old filly. "She ran third here last year," said Moore. "She really matured this year and has gotten a lot calmer. It's easy to train good horses."

Shake Em Rocks ($11.00) was third in this same race last year, her only previous attempt at 110 yards. The filly now has four career wins in 16 starts and lifetime earnings of $36,289.

She has never finished out of the money in her five career efforts at Sam Houston.

Im Sporting Rock survived an inquiry and an objection to remain in second place. The 3-year-old colt was ridden by Manuel Gutierrez for trainer Robi Meche and owner Jose Fabian Hernandez.

Im Sporting Rock was bred in Texas by Robert and Karen Nunnally, by Corona Cartel and out of the Stoli mare Painted Silk. This was the first start for Im Sporting Rock since October and the first career attempt at 110 yards. He has two second-place finishes in two starts at Sam Houston.

Completing the trifecta in the dash was Country Hot Doggin and Francisco Mendez. He is trained by Francisco Perez, Jr. and is owned by Santiago Robledo.

Country Hot Doggin is an Iowa-bred colt by Country Chicks Man, bred by Dan and Erin Knox out of Baby Runs Hot, by Hotdoggin. He has two career wins in 11 starts; this was also his first start in a 110-yard race.

Completing the field were Winnes Solid, Cadillac Cash, Classy Seis, Glimpse of Fire, Papi Chulo Jm, The Ram Cartel and Wanna Be a Celebrity. An inquiry and an objection were posted into the running of the race but no change was made to the order of finish.