-photo by Coady Photography
Seminole Injun

-photo by Coady Photography
Bold Bone

Houston, Texas (August 6,2005) - Fifteen Quarter Horses were eligible for the Friday night feature at Sam Houston Race Park, so two divisions of the 870-yard contest for three-year-olds were run. Sent off as the four to five favorite, Seminole Injun scored the victory in the first division, a value of $13,750, with John Hamilton aboard. Hamilton guided the Texas-bred gelding for his first time around the hook and to the finish line in a time of :45.67. Seminole Injun is trained by Larry Kopycinski, owned by Mary Lynne Thompson and has won each of his four starts at the northwest Houston racetrack.

“He was running fast in the turn, but we set up for it and he handled it nice,” said Hamilton. “I knew I had a lot of horse, but I felt like the two horse (Gold Viperess) was pulling on me but I didn't want to ask too much yet."

Kopycinski was also satisfied with the trip and comments on how the race almost didn’t happen for Seminole Injun, “We had a little bit of trouble a while ago and we were almost going to scratch him. He seemed like he was cramping a little but I left it up to John. I told John if he wasn't right, to just go ahead and bring him back. I always knew he could handle the distance. I just never sent him around the turn since he was running so good down the lane. I'm glad it all worked out."

Gold Viperess, under the controls of Alvin Brossette, took the early lead and finished second for trainer Janet Van Bebber and owners Donna Edgar and Julie Bailey. As the only filly running against the boys in her first 870-yard race, Van Bebber was proud of how she handled her long run.

“I think for her first time at this distance she didn’t do bad at all. I’m pleased with her effort,” said Van Bebber. “She seems to like the distance, so we may try her again here. The horse that already proved that he could win at this distance won, and he had the best post position and then ran a great race. We were just lucky to draw the next post where we could give him a run for his money.”

Seminole Injun returned $3.80, $3.00 and $2.60 across the board. The 1-5 exacta paid $14.00 and the 1-2-3 trifecta returned $26.20.

In the second division, Bold Bone, owned and trained by Gailor Phares, Jr. took advantage of his distance experience to win under Kimberly McIntosh. McIntosh recommended the Louisiana-bred for the race and she closed with a rush and completed the $14,000 competition in a winning time of :46.32. Phares praised McIntosh for her “good call”.

Blackjack Rebel ran second for trainer Monty Brooks and owner Dusty Rose Ranch LLC. Leading rider James Brooks dueled with third place finisher Streak To The Win for the place position. Blackjack Rebel paid $8.20, $3.40 and $2.6 across the board. The 2-6 exacta paid $26.20 and the 2-6-5 trifecta paid $105.00.