Place your bets on Thursday’s Challenge races at Sam Houston with these expert tips.

© Coady Photography

By Ed Burgart

HOUSTON, TX–JUNE 14, 2022–Hes Jess Dealin caught my eye on video-tape replays when looking at the finalists for Thursday's $91,163 Adequan® Sam Houston Derby Challenge at Sam Houston Race Park.

One race later, I look for the quick filly Jes an Angel to score her fourth straight victory when heading a field of 10 freshmen in the $130,713 John Deere Sam Houston Juvenile Challenge finals.

The winning horse from both regional finals secure berths in their challenge championship finals on Bank Of America Challenge Championship night to be held at Horseshoe Indianapolis on October 22.

ADEQUAN® SAM HOUSTON DERBY CHALLENGE
Starting from Post 10 in the 400-yard Adequan® Derby regional finals, Hes Jess Dealin looms a heavy favorite after running 2/10ths faster than second-fastest qualifier Revenant Dynasty when scoring a 1 1/4-length victory in the second of two 400-yard trials. The sharp gelding has captured two of his three lifetime starts at 400 yards and defeated prior neck allowance winner Revenant Dynasty in his trial win, which was timed in :19.98.

Biden Record and Revenant Dynasty should be used in exotic wagering with Hes Jess Dealin.

Biden Record defeated rivals by a neck in his trial when having a clear start before responding to solid urging. He previously finished second against Sumokegetsinyoureyes who came back to win an allowance before finishing third in a derby trial.

Revenants Dynasty had a clean trip while 1 1/4 lengths behind Hes Jess Dealin in his last runner-up out. He seems to prefer shorter distances based on his three wins with two coming at 300 yards and the other at 350.
So, I like Hes Jess Dealin as my top selection, while considering Biden Record and Revenants Dynasty as major exotics horses to use.

JOHN DEERE SAM HOUSTON JUVENILE CHALLENGE
Although she will be making her sixth start in three months, Jes An Angel showed no intentions of regressing with an eye-catching three-length victory accomplished in :17.87 for 350 yards when competing in the last of six trials for the John Deere Sam Houston Juvenile Challenge.

Her victory was 5/100ths slower than fastest qualifier Leavinematthebar who was under solid urging throughout, in comparison to Jes An Angel whose rider only tapped her mildly at intervals. Jes An Angel captured the Old South Futurity two outs ago at Delta Downs.

Leavinematthebar, Apollitical Dynamite, Capo On Fire and Jess Good Wine are others to watch.

Leavinematthebar has room for further improvement while only making his third lifetime start. He had a clean trip when scoring a neck win over Apollitical Dynamite in the fifth trial. Apollitical Dynamite is also making his third start and was a much-troubled third in his debut when breaking slow and getting bumped back before finishing with big strides.

Capo On Fire defeated Jess Good Wine by a neck in the third trial while his final time of :17.87 was aided by an 8 mph tail wind.

Capo On Fire previously finished fourth as the 2-1 favorite in a maiden race captured by Otts Boy, who recently captured the Grade 1 Ruidoso Futurity. Jess Good Wine found his best stride too late behind Capo On Fire while finishing 1 1/4 lengths clear of finalist Fabulous Brieanna.

So, my win selection is Jes An Angel while my exacta/trifecta/superfecta partners are Leavinematthebar, Apollitical Dynamite, Capo On Fire and Jess Good Wine.

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