(Friday, May 15, 2009) - Sam Houston Race Park hosted an exciting evening of live racing on Friday, May 15, highlighted by two stakes races on the evening’s nine-race card. Both races previously qualified the top 10 fastest horses during trials races that took place over grand re-opening weekend May 1 & 2.

The night’s seventh race was the highly anticipated Grade 1 $225,450 Retama Park Futurity. Morning line second choice Memories of Okey ($5.80), trained by owner/trainer Jose Espinosa and ridden by jockey Cipriano Vidana, took top honors, going the 350-yards in :17.817. After breaking on the outside, the two-year old colt took control with 100 yards to go and finished effortlessly, winning by a half-length.

Jockey Espinosa commented, “I felt good going into this race, and from the time it started, this colt wanted this win.”

Forget Thinkin finshed second, with Perrphery checking in third. Eisenheim, Mr Jess XL, BHB Mighty, Shake Em Special Pop, Joining and Fee Lion completed the order of finish.

Immediately following that race was the second stakes race of the night, the Grade 2 $114,150 Retama Park Derby. Three-year old colt Christmas Cheer ($6.80) broke on top and never looked back, cruising to a one length victory in the 400-yard race in a final time of :20.04. Christmas Cheer is trained by Gregory Gonzalez, and jockey Abdel Torres was on board for the winning ride.

“He broke out of the gate pretty well, and from there, all I had to do was sit back and let him run his race,” said jockey Torres.

Mon Ti Stoli ran second, with Call Me Sixes finishing third. They were followed under the wire by When in Rome, Mr Jess Perrier, Xplorador, Bonarco, Eye Be Swift, Terra Berra and Zoomin Doll.

The excitement continues at The Park on Saturday with the 134th Running of the Preakness Stakes simulcast event, live racing with a full 12-race card, Value Day featuring the Free Fun Zone with games, activities and more along with the Verizon Wireless Summer Concert Series on the Bud Light stage featuring a performance from Jason Aldean, Ryan Beaver and the Scooter Brown Band immediately following the live racing program.