(Friday, August 8, 2003) - Magic Jess Perry, owned by the S A Ranch of Edcouch, Texas, was the winner of tonight’s feature at Sam Houston Race Park, the $46,960 TQHA Sires’ Cup Derby (RG3). The 3-year-old son of Mr Jess Perry, trained by Joe Garza, was the ninth fastest qualifier in trials held on July 25, but put forth an outstanding performance to capture the final this evening.

The Louisiana-bred gelding has been impressive in 2003, winning four races and running second in his other three starts. Under rider Ignacio Bustamante, Magic Jess Perry, who overcame a tangle of horses at the break, accelerated well in the stretch, winning by a nose. He earned a speed index of 90, completing the 400 yard dash in a time of :20.202. Magic Jess Perry picked up a check for $18,784, increasing his career bankroll to $56,278.

"I was happy that Joe asked me to ride the horse," said Bustamante. "I’ve known Joe a long time and knew that this was a good horse. Tonight he broke well and with two or three jumps got to the wire."

"He ran well for us in Louisiana earlier this year," said Garza. "He won his trial but was the ninth fastest qualifier, but I wasn’t worried. It was an easy race for him and I knew he was ready tonight. I am very proud of the horse."

Snow Warning, who was the fastest qualifier in trials, ran second under rider Juan Vazquez.

"We came together out of the gate and he (the winner) kind of knocked my back end out from under me," said Vazquez. "I thought I had him but he just kept coming."

Chicks Cartel, who earned $111,776 as a 2-year-old, ran third under rider Gilbert Ortiz for trainer Janet Van Bebber.

"He ran a good race," noted Ortiz. "They just came by me there in the end. He did everything I asked him to."

Magic Jess Perry paid $10.00, $5.80 and $4.00 across the board. The 6-5 exacta paid $60.20 and the 6-5-9 trifecta returned $297.20. Completing the order of finish were Vivid Velocity, Shake Em White, The Bluetailfly, Seek N Destroy, Boot Scootin Task, Party Hound and Shake Em Wizar.

News and Notes

Rider Gilbert Ortiz had an impressive showing, winning 4 races on the Friday night card. Ortiz began the evening with a win aboard the opener on Warriors Glance ($11.20). He rode Luck And Cash ($5.40) in the third; Corona Cerveza ($12.80) and It’s a Blue Monday ($3.20) in the seventh. With his victories tonight, Ortiz has a total of 25 wins for the 2003 Sam Houston Race Park Quarter Horse meeting and is in second place in the standings. Last year’s leading rider, J. R. Ramirez, still remains the leader with a total of 35 wins to date.