First Time For Wine, piloted by Oscar Andrade, wins the 55,000 Miss Sam Houston Stakes on Saturday at Sam Houston Race Park.

© Coady Photography

HOUSTON, TX–JUNE 15, 2024–First Time For Wine is making another first with a stakes victory in the $55,000 Miss Sam Houston Stakes on Saturday at Sam Houston Race Park.

Jockey Oscar Andrade piloted First Time For Wine to the wire in :16.968 seconds, clocking a 93 speed index. The post-time favorite took the lead at the final stretch for a head victory over Wagons Moving First, ridden by Froylan Ramirez. The 330-yard effort paid $4.60 to win on 8-5 odds.

Andrade commented, "We didn't have the best break. She kind of stumbled a little forward, but about halfway through, she was running on her own, and she showed what she could do."

Trainer John Stinebuagh saddled First Time For Wine for owner/breeder Pete Scarmardo, who couldn't attend the race because he was at a George Strait concert with his family.

This was a great race for her. Pete and I discussed it before coming into this, that it might be a little short, but it sure worked out in the end." said Stinebaugh.

The winning connections of First Time For Wine accept the $55,000 Miss Sam Houston Stakes trophy at Sam Houston Race Park on Saturday. © Coady Photography

First Time For Wine has lit the board 13 of 17 starts, and the $33,000 winner's share of the purse boosted her earnings to over $102,000. The four-year-old daughter of First Moonflash is out of Time For Wine by Mr Jess Perry.

Runner-up Wagons Moving First has three career wins with $59,792 in the bank. Trainer Enrique Alvarado conditions the daughter of Wagon Tales for owners Val Gonzalez and Tonya Trower Gonzalez.

Breeder Scarlett Hil Farm, Inc. sold Wagons Moving First for $14,000 in the 2020 Heritage Place Yearling Sale. The five-year-old Texas-bred filly is out of Lusi by Azoom.

Third-place finisher Dakota Gurl, ridden by Raul Hernandez, Jr., has four wins from 19 starts and has been a finalist in six stakes races. Arnold Lewis trains the four-year-old daughter of Muddy Watters for owner/breeder Sunset Well Service, Inc. She is out of Runaway Charli by FDD Dynasty.

Kvp Especial, Blackjess, Jess Kissing Beau, Jessa Tempting You, Five Bar Willie, Zsuzannah and Patoranado complete the order of finish.

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.