The 2026 Sam Houston Race Park Quarter Horse meet leaders (by wins) include owner Sunset Well Service, Inc., trainer Jose Luis Sanchez III, jockey Luis L. Vivanco and leading horse by earnings DK Bonita Jess.

© Jack Coady Photogrpahy

By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch

HOUSTON, TX–JUNE 14, 2026–Sam Houston Race Park named its leading Quarter Horse owner, trainer, jockey and horse following the conclusion of its 2026 live racing season on Saturday. Sunset Well Service, Inc. earned leading owner honors, Jose Luis Sanchez III secured the training title, Luis L. Vivanco topped the rider standings and DK Bonita Jess emerged as the meet's leading horse. The 26-night meet featured increased wagering, competitive racing and several standout stakes performances that helped define the season's top performers.

Leading Owner: Sunset Well Service, Inc.
Sunset Well Service claimed leading owner honors after tying Three Bar T Quarter Horses with seven wins apiece. The title was decided by second-place finishes, where Sunset held a 6-2 advantage. The deciding margin came in the tenth race on closing night when Three Bar T's Bludz Valiant Policy rallied from a troubled start only to fall a nose short at the wire.

Sunset Well Service finished the meet with seven wins, six seconds and four thirds while earning $114,157. Pete A. Scarmardo ranked third with six wins. Although they did not challenge for the win title, CH Horse Racing LLC and Double J Racing topped the earnings standings. CH Horse Racing earned a meet-leading $268,040 behind DK Bonita Jess' victory in the Grade 2 Sam Houston Futurity, while Double J Racing banked $248,121, led by Texas Breeders' Futurity winner Cowboys Flying. Following that victory, owners Jerry Deville and Jaime Cardenas pledged $20,000 of their earnings to a charitable foundation selected by Sam Houston Race Park.

Leading Trainer: Jose Luis Sanchez III
Jose Luis Sanchez III secured leading trainer honors with 19 wins from 72 starts and earnings of $203,536. John A. Stinebaugh finished second with 15 victories, highlighted by Leon Bard Memorial Stakes winner Jess Cartel Blue. Ben Olaveson ranked third with 13 wins and an impressive 45 percent win rate, while Marc E. Jungers added 12 wins and saddled Governors Cup Marathon Stakes (G3) winner Louisiana Mystery.

While Sanchez led by victories, Ramiro Barajas Villarreal topped all trainers in earnings with $424,254, the only conditioner to surpass the $400,000 mark. His stable was led by Top Shelve, winner of the Sam Houston Juvenile Challenge, and Cowboys Flying, winner of the inaugural Texas Breeders' Futurity.

Leading Jockey: Luis L. Vivanco
Luis L. Vivanco captured riding honors with 39 wins from 178 mounts while earning $630,778. His season included a graded stakes victory aboard Louisiana Mystery in the Governors Cup Marathon Stakes (G3) along with runner-up finishes aboard Royalist in the Sam Houston Derby and Bludz Valiant Policy in the Sam Houston Oaks.

Although Vivanco led the colony in victories, Nestor Duran topped all riders in earnings with $705,413. Duran's meet included victories aboard three graded stakes winners: DK Bonita Jess in the Sam Houston Futurity (G2), Top Shelve in the Sam Houston Juvenile Challenge and Fire Bolt B in the Sam Houston Distance Challenge (G3). Gilberto Linares finished second in wins with 19, while Victor Manuel Urieta Jr. and Oliver E. Martinez each recorded 17 victories. Nineteen jockeys surpassed the $100,000 earnings mark during the meet.

Leading Horse: DK Bonita Jess
While 18 horses recorded multiple victories during the season, DK Bonita Jess emerged as the meet's top earner with $268,040 after winning the richest race of the meet, the $655,100 Sam Houston Futurity (G2). The son of Apollitical Jess won both of his starts during the meet.

Cowboys Flying ranked second on the earnings list with $246,746 after capturing the inaugural $541,000 Texas Breeders' Futurity, while Eagle On A June Bug completed the top three with $109,120 following his victory in the $234,500 Sam Houston Derby. The trio were the only horses to surpass the $100,000 earnings mark and accounted for victories in three of the meet's marquee stakes events.

About Sam Houston Race Park
Sam Houston Race Park is Houston’s premier racing and entertainment facility, located just 15 miles northwest of downtown Houston. Owned by Penn Entertainment Inc. (NASDAQ – PENN), the racetrack, which opened in 1994, offers a variety of attractions for businesses, group outings, and families during racing and the off-season. The track is best known for its award-winning dining. It features multiple areas for fans looking for casual to upscale dining options including its Winner’s Circle Restaurant, Jockey Club, Luxury Suites and Pavilion Centre. For more information or tickets to upcoming live racing, concerts and events, please visit www.shrp.com or follow on: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok or YouTube.

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