(Saturday, June 28, 2003) - Two-year-old American Quarter Horses took center stage tonight at Sam Houston Race Park as trials were held for the $253,050 TQHA Sales Futurity (RG2). There were a total of nine trial races on the card for yearlings purchased in the 2002 TQHA Sales Futurity.

The second trial of the evening produced the fastest qualifier, Doin It Jess For Fun, a 2-year old colt bred by Bessent/ Burnett Ranches and owned by Ted G. Abrams. The son of Mr Jess Perry completed the 350 yard distance in a time of :17.646 which surpassed the fastest qualifier from last year’s TQHA Sales Futurity trials, Shiney Sign who was timed at.:17.782. Trained by Heath Taylor, and ridden to victory by Juan Vazquez, Doin It Jess For Fun paid $4.40 to win. "He is a real nice horse," said Vazquez, who qualified four of the ten runners tonight. "I was really looking forward to riding him tonight and believe he can win the whole thing."

"He’s got the talent, that’s for sure," commented Tracy Taylor, who saddled for her husband Heath, who was busy winning both the Firecracker Derby and Futurity tonight at Delta Downs. "He tends to get hot, but as long as he stays cool, he gets the job done."

Vazquez qualified two other runners for Taylor, Miss Mischevious and Jess The Facts as well as No Fees for trainer John Buchanan. Rider J. R. Ramirez qualified two for trainer Duane Hartsell, Holland Dash Holme, who was the second fastest qualifier with a time of :17.675 and Runaway Hotshot, who crossed the wire in a time of :17.944.

The ten finalists will return to Sam Houston Race Park on Saturday, July 12 to compete for a purse of $253,050 with the winner to receive $$101,220.

The ten-race card will also feature two additional graded stakes, the $80,000 MBNA Texas Challenge Championship (G1) for 3-year-olds and upward at a distance of 440 yards and the $35,000-added Bayer Legend Texas Challenge (G3) for 3-year-olds.

TQHA Sales Futurity Trials
Trials: Saturday, June 28, 2003
Finals: Saturday, July 12, 2003
TWO-YEAR-OLDS - 350 Yards

*Track record- : Hotdoggin :17.360 - July 27, 2001