Leavinematthebar, under jockey Luis Vivanco, won the $54,000 Sam Houston 550 Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park Saturday night.

© Coady Photography

HOUSTON, TX–JUNE 15, 2024–Leavinematthebar closed well to score his first career stakes win on Saturday when he defeated a strong field in the $54,000 Sam Houston 550 Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park.

Leavinematthebar and jockey Luis Vivanco quickly took the lead before closing strong to hit the wire a length ahead of the field. The son of multiple stakes sire Power Jam (TB) completed the 550 yards in 27.831 seconds, equaling a 95-speed index into a 10 mph headwind.

Leading trainer Toby Keaton conditions the 4-year-old gelding for owner-breeders James Hrabovsky and Leann Nalls. Bred from the Stoli mare Leaving In Your Eyes, Leavinematthebar has won four of 10 starts, and the $32,400 550 winner's purse pushed his earnings mark to $94,703.

"This horse is so special to us, Hrabovsky says. "He had joint issues which required three surgeries. So far this season, he has been training well, and with two runner-up finishes, he was set for this win! I think he is Power Jam's first stakes winner."

"It's fun when you raise one!," Nalls said. "We always believed he was special."

Hrabovsky added, "Great to see Toby (Keeton) take the title; Brian Stroud also trains for us and as far as Luis (Vivanco) is concerned, he's the best in the business!"

Runner-up Dm Preacher Man was a game second under jockey Froylan Ramirez to earn $10,800 for second. Kie Mushinski trains the Texas homebred son of multiple stakes sire A Revenant for owner-breeder Donna Mushinski. The 5-year-old from the Streakin La Jolla mare Mary La Jolla has earned nearly $75,000.

The winning connections of Leavinematthebar accept the Sam Houston 550 Stakes trophy. © Coady Photography

Sarah Haskey's Ontherocks finished half-a-length back to earn $5,940 for third. Trainer Gilberto Gonzalez named jockey Jose Herbert to ride the graded stakes winning son of A Revenant.  Ware Racing & Ranching, LLC bred the black gelding in Texas from the Stoli mare Stol A Bunny. The six-time winner has earned $160,931.

Drinks After Work, Red Reddington, Th Mai Tai Tom, Wicked Bogie and Gladiator completed the field.

Additional reporting by Martha Claussen

********************************

About Sam Houston Race Park
Operated by Penn Entertainment Inc., Sam Houston Race Park is Houston’s premier racing and entertainment facility, located just 15 miles northwest of downtown Houston. 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 Winner’s Circle Restaurant, Jockey Club, Luxury Suites, and Pavilion Centre. For more information or tickets to upcoming live racing, shows, and events, please visit or follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, or YouTube.