Jess Star Struck, under jockey Gerardo Luna, won the $55,000 Sam Houston 250 Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park Saturday night.

© Coady Photography

HOUSTON, TX–JUNE 15, 2024–Jess Star Struck raced to his second consecutive win on Saturday when he defeated Mo Delirio by a neck in the $55,000 Sam Houston 250 Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park.

Ridden by jockey Gerardo Luna, Jess Star Struck drew away early before clocking a 99-speed index in 13.196 seconds for the 250-yard task into an 8 mph headwind. The son of multiple stakes sire Jess Lips entered the race off an allowance win at Sam Houston in his last start on May 31.

Raul Galvan trains the 3-year-old stakes winner for owner Eleazar Martinez, Sr. Third in the Gillespie County Fair Futurity last year; Dunn Ranch bred Jess Star Struck in Texas from the Corona Cartel mare Medea. The brown gelding has banked nearly $90,000 after four wins 10 starts.

The winning connections of Jess Star Struck accept the Sam Houston 250 Stakes trophy. © Coady Photography

"He was very good as a two-year-old, so we're hoping he would have a good start this year," Martinez said. "After his allowance win last month, we wanted to try him in this stakes. He ran very well and will look to race at Retama, maybe 250, maybe 350 yards."

Mo Delirio, a 5-year-old son of multiple stakes sire Desirio, earned $11,000 for second. Trainer Enrique Alvarado named jockey Ali Rivera to ride the Texas homebred for owner-breeder Manuel Ortiz. Out of Mo Anita Cartel, by The Louisiana Cartel, Mo Delirio is a stakes winner of $81,544.

Mp Just Rip was 1-1/4 lengths back to pick up $6,050 for third. Owner-trainer Manuel Roman named jockey Froylan Ramirez to ride the Mr Piloto 3-year-old from the First To Shine mare Hf Just Rip It. Kyle D. Springer bred the multiple stakes-placed earner of $63,123.

Lefty, Hallmarke, Chilli Red, Special Lil Cricket, Zooming For Muddy, Texas Bonita Seis, and Gulf Coast Flyer completed the field.
 

Additional reporting by Martha Claussen

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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.