Determined, ridden by Raul Hernandez Jr., closes with a powerful late rally to capture the Grade 3 Sam Houston 550 Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park on June 13.

By Emily Paulk, StallioneSearch

HOUSTON, TX–JUNE 13, 2026–Determined rallied from the back of the pack to earn his first stakes victory Saturday night in the Grade 3 $56,500 Sam Houston 550 Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park. The five-year-old gelding covered 550 yards in :27.881 over a fast track while facing a 10 mph headwind.

Ridden by Raul Hernandez Jr. for owner Elaine Faye Hammonds and trainer Shae Cox, Determined closed strongly through the final yards to get up in time and defeat Imma Sweet Diva by a head. After settling near the rear of the field early, the gelding unleashed the fastest finish of the race to secure the biggest victory of his career.

Bred by Kenneth Hammonds, Determined is a son of One Famous Diamond and out of the Eyesa Special mare Special Kaydena. The victory was his fifth from 17 starts and boosted his bankroll to $92,440 with the $33,900 winner's share of the purse.

The winning connections of Determined accept the Sam Houston 550 Stakes trophy on Saturday; Jack Coady Photography

Prior to Saturday's breakthrough stakes score, the gelding's best efforts included a third-place finish in the GCFA All Breeds 870 Stakes and a fourth-place effort in the Races and Aces Stakes to close out his 2025 campaign.

Imma Sweet Diva finished second under Ruben Delarosa Jr. for owner Eduardo Guel and trainer Joe Chapa. The mare made a strong bid in the stretch but was unable to hold off the late charge from the winner.

Bred by Manuel Ortiz, the five-year-old mare is sired by One Sweet Jess and out of the Mighty Corona mare Mo Diamond Corona. Imma Sweet Diva now owns a record of 17-3-3-2 with earnings of $56,328. She previously competed in last year's Yellow Rose of Texas Stakes, where she finished fifth.

Onthrocks completed the trifecta under Nestor Duran for owner Sarah Huskey and trainer Esteban Rubio. The veteran gelding battled on the front end and briefly took command before settling for third at the wire.

Bred by Ware Racing & Ranching LLC, the seven-year-old son of A Revenant is out of the Stoli mare Stol A Bunny. Onthrocks now sports a record of 33-8-6-7 with earnings of $258,684. Among his accomplishments are two victories in the Grade 3 TQHA 550 Stakes, two editions of the Sam Houston 550 Stakes, and the Tower of the Americas Stakes.

Top Cowboy finished fourth and was followed by Ym Flyin, Perry Bogart, Liberater, Th Mai Tai Tom and Whata Lota Boy to complete the order of finish.

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