Ima Chili (#3) defeated Goodtime In Texas (#1) in the $55,000 Sam Houston 250 Staks on Saturday at Sam Houston Race Park.

© Jack Coady Photography

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

HOUSTON, TX–JUNE 14, 2025–Sam Houston Race Park played host to a thrilling edition of the $55,000 Sam Houston 250 Stakes on Saturday, as Darrell L. Hooper’s Ima Chili delivered a determined performance to edge out his rivals in a tightly contested sprint over 250 yards.

"That's a fast little horse," said Hooper. "I believe in his ability, especially at 250 yards."

The Texas-bred 3-year-old APHA gelding by second-crop sire Chilitos, out of Im Not Hillary by Executive Menace, was bred by Sarah Huskey and trained by Zackery Rios.

Guided confidently by jockey Oscar Andrade, Jr., Ima Chili broke sharply and held off a strong late bid to win by a neck in a final time of 13.031 seconds over a fast track, earning a speed index of 105. He collected $33,000 for his fvictory.

The winning connections of Ima Chili accept the Sam Houston 250 Stakes trophy on Saturday at Sam Houston Race Park. © Jack Coady Photography

A multiple stakes winner at 2, Ima Chill has earned $81,469 with five win on 11 career starts.

Finishing second was Goodtime In Texas, a 4-year-old sorrel filly by Duponte out of Keep It Royal by Givinitaroyaleffort. Bred in Texas by Connie Nobles and owned by John A. Obregon, the filly was trained by Jose Uriegas, Jr. and ridden by Jose Herbert.

She dueled gamely throughout but tired late to finish ¾ of a length behind the winner. Goodtime in Texas, a $4,500 purchase at the 2022 TQHA Yearling Sale, earned $11,000 for her effort, boosting her bankroll to 63,628.

Third place went to Cowgurl Up, a 4-year-old sorrel filly by leading third-crop sire Flying Cowboy 123 and out of Passem Up Perry by Mr Jess Perry. Bred by P & J Racing Ltd., who also own her, she is trained by Carlos Lopez and was piloted by Raul Hernandez, Jr.

The $95,000 2022 TQHA Yearling Sale grad was closing strongly late and finished just a head behind the runner-up, earning $6,050. Cowgurl Up has earned $44,259 in eight career starts.

. The track was listed as fast, and the weather was clear with a temperature of 83 degrees. The race was contested with a light headwind of 3 mph.

The also-rans include You Look Famous, Kartendo Fast, Believe in Perry,  Akiles, Diamondbacked, Passage Of A Woman, and Gulf Coast Flyer.

The pari-mutuel payouts reflected the competitive nature of the field. Ima Chili returned $10.20 to win, $5.80 to place, and $3.40 to show. Goodtime in Texas paid $11.80 to place and $4.80 to show, while Cowgurl Up paid $2.60 to show.

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