(Sunday, September 2, 2007) - Big Bad N Brown capped off an excellent racing season at Sam Houston Race Park by another trip to the winner’s circle. The 3-year-old gelding who is owned by P.J. Schachle of Chocktaw, Oklahoma and R. C Howell, defeated seven rivals in today’s feature at Sam Houston Race Park, the $19,000 Sam Houston Distance Derby.

The 3-year-old son of Gold Regent was the fastest qualifier and winner of the $26,235 Red Cell Texas Distance Challenge (G3) here on July 14. Trained by Mike Howell, he followed that up with a second-place finish in the $15,000 Woodlands Stakes on August 4. Rider Santos Carrizales guided the brown gelding with confidence, calling on him and the top of the lane and Big Bad N Brown, responded drawing off by 1 ½ lengths. The final time of the 870-yard stakes was 45:840.

“(Regular rider) Jeff Jerman had to ride for his dad, so I was a little nervous,” said Howell. “But Santos did a good job and we were happy with the race.”

Jerman rallied for second aboard Bridlewood Tin Man, who had won his last three distance races for his dad, Jerry Jerman.

“It was my plan to kind of come off the pace a little bit,” said Jeff Jerman. “I was forced to go a little wider than I wanted to when the eight horse came over. That cost me.”

Big Bad N Brown was send off as the favorite and paid $3.20 for the win. Shake Rattle and Run ran third, followed by Stormy Boy Perry, First Available, Celeb Streaker, Sha Bam and A Dash of Corona.

Howell indicated that Big Bad N Brown will have a break before shipping to California for the $100,000 Red Cell Distance Challenge at Los Alamitos on November 3.

News and Notes

Sam Houston Race Park will host a special Labor Day card on Monday, September 3, beginning at 1:30 p.m. There will be children’s activities, $1 dollar hot dogs and the simulcast of the $2 million All American Futurity from Ruidoso Downs.