-photo by Coady Photography


-photo by Coady Photography


-photo by Coady Photography

Houston, Texas (May 8, 2004) - Powerful Injun, a 2-year-old filly, reigned supreme in the finals of the $160,800 Sam Houston Texas-Bred Futurity tonight at Sam Houston Race Park.

Owned and trained by Carlos Martinez of Zapata, Texas, Powerful Injun was purchased last July at the TQHA Yearling Sale. She has made three starts in her career, winning two out of three. Ignacio Bustamante was in the irons this evening as she closed powerfully to complete the 300-yard contest in a time of :15.728.

Martinez credits his son, Eloy, who spotted the daughter of Invisible Injun at last July's TQHA Yearling Sale. At his urging, they bid $7,500 on the filly bred by noted Texas horseman, Bobby Cox. Tonight she earned $64,320 as the winner of the Sam Houston Texas-Bred Futurity.

"One of my boys, Eloy, opened the sale book and looked at Hip number 78," recalled Martinez. "He closed the book and opened it again and said 'I want to buy this horse'. We did and here we are. She's paid into the TQHA Sires' Cup and TQHA Sale Futurity as well the Sam Houston Futurity."

Shake Em Fever, a 2-year-old filly owned by Betty and Robert Moore and trained by their son, Bobby L. Moore, Jr., was the fastest qualifier in trials run on April 23. The daughter of Royal Shake Em was hesitant to load in the starting gate, but ran a fine race and finished second.

"I know it affected her a lot because she wasn't set and as soon as they (the gate crew) pulled on her and they caught her rocking back against the tail gate," said Moore. "And as soon as they pulled her, her head was in there and she wasn't ready to lead. So, it affected her a lot. We'll point her to the TQHA Sires' Cup Futurity (on July 3)."

Six Persimmons, the post-time favorite, rallied for third under rider James Brooks and will be pointed toward the TQHA Sale Futurity according to her trainer, Lance Moore.

"She got a clean break but seemed to be having a little trouble getting a hold of the track," commented Brooks. "She tried hard and just got outrun."

Powerful Injun was ignored by the betting public, leaving the gate at odds of 27-1, but rewarded her supporters with a win payout of $57.20. The 3-4 exacta returned $249.40 and the 3-4-9 trifecta paid $1,211.

Sangiovese, Perks Prime Plus, First Comment, Collecting Diamonds, Narrow D Arrow, Wompum and Fool Hearty Man completed the order of finish.

News and Notes

Rider John Hamilton had a fine night winning four races on the card. He began with Stevies Dreams ($4.40) in the first; Sailing Colors ($13.60) in the third and Ja Commander ($19.40) in the fifth race. He was also aboard Texas Chatterbox ($5.20) in the ninth race.

Trainer Judd Kearl saddled three winners this evening. The aforementioned Sailing Colors and Ja Commander as well as Coup Da Hoss ($31.80) in the fourth race.