HOUSTON, TX—APRIL 24, 2021—A very impressive group of juveniles competed in 11 trials on Friday for one of five berths up for grabs on the first of two nights of trials for the $732,650 Sam Houston Futurity (G2).

The third trial of the card produced the fastest qualifier when Apollitical Crystal delivered a tremendous maiden-breaking score under rider Nestor Duran, covering 330 yards in :16.918 seconds. The track was fast and she earned a 95 speed index into an 11 mph head wind.

Bred in California by EG High Desert Farms LLC, the daughter leading sire Apollitical Jess out of the Walk Thru Fire mare Walk Thru Crystal is owned by Ruse Ranch LLC and trained Adrian Huitron. Ruse paid $46,000 for the filly at the Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale last August.

"She performed very well in her schooling race at Retama Park, so we felt she would run a big race tonight,” said Huitron. “She has an awesome pedigree. I thank God and her owners Ruse Ranch for this opportunity."

The heavily favored Hock It To You delivered the second-fastest clocking of the evening in the final trial of the evening.

The son of Kiss My Hocks was bred in Texas by Tyler Graham and Conda Maze, who won the 2014 edition of the race with Kiss My Hocks.

Hock It To You is owned by Reynold Munoz and Heavy Hitters Racing Stables. He crossed the wire in :16.982 with Victor Urieta, Jr. in the irons, earning a 93 speed index.

“He just has it in him; he's just one of those special ones," said trainer Juan Diaz, Jr.

A $35,000 TQHA Yearling Sale graduate, Hock It To You has won two of three starts this season, finishing second in the RG1 Remington Park Oklahoma-Bred Futurity last month. He has earned $95,962.

Jesus Olvera's Mr de Capi won the opening trial by 3-¼ lengths to hold the third fastest clocking of :17.068 seconds. Trainer Angel Sanchez named jockey Jose Martinez to ride the Cope de Capi gelding in his career debut.

"He's been good for us; very fast and ran well in his Retama Park schooling race," trainer Sanchez said following the big trial win,"

Sanchez has won two previous editions of the Sam Houston Futurity and is pleased to qualify again.

"Texas is home and this is a very important race with the highest purse this year," the trainer said. "It would mean a great deal to win it again."

Charles and Elizabeth Horton bred Mr de Capi in Oklahoma from the One Sweet Jess mare Redheads Run Hotter.

BH Inxs, a $16,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale graduate, broke his maiden in the fifth trial to get the fourth fastest time of :17.088 seconds. Juan Diaz, Jr. conditions the half-brother to multiple Grade 1 winner BH Lisas Boy for owner TYKHE Racing LLC. Victor Urieta, Jr. was riding.

"He just has it in him; he's just one of those special ones," Diaz said after the trail win.

Bill C. Hoburg bred the son of champion EC Jet One in Oregon from the Snowbound (TB) mare Apollo Snowbound. BH Inxs was making his second start after a fifth-place finish in his career debut, a trial for the Harrah's Futurity March 13th.

Jockey Nestor Duran rode Dr Toola to the final qualifying spot after a :17.099 clocking to win the ninth trial. Trainer Adrian Huitron conditions the daughter of leading third-crop sire Kiss My Hocks for owner C B Racing LLC.

A $22,000 repurchase at the 2020 TQHA Yearling Sale, Dr Tola sold under the name Rosie Hocks in the catalog. Tyler Graham and Namgis QHs LLC bred the bay filly from the Corona Cartel mare Charming Cartel.

For a complete list of qualifiers, times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys to the Sam Houston Futurity(G2) CLICK HERE.

Eleven additional trials will be contested on Saturday, May 8 to complete the field of ten for the final of the Sam Houston Futurity on Friday, May 28.

The second five fastest qualifiers from each night of trials are preferred invites for the $71,165 Sam Houston Juvenile Invitational that will also run back on May 28th. For a list of those hoses CLICK HERE.

Additional reporting by Martha Claussen.

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Sam Houston Race Park is Houston's premier racing and entertainment facility, located just 15 miles from downtown Houston. The Park offers a variety of attractions including our Suite Level featuring luxurious suites overlooking the race track and accommodating groups from 20 to 300 people, The Pavilion Centre, and award-winning dining options at the Winner's Circle Restaurant and the Jockey Club. For more information on upcoming shows, events and tickets, please visit shrp.com.