Houston, Texas (March 13, 2004) - Josie G. won the first stakes of her career this evening, capturing the one mile $30,000 Sam Houston Oaks. Owned by the Greg L. England of Dallas and trained by Bret Calhoun, the 3-year-old Kentucky-bred daughter of El Amante was ridden to victory this evening by Eddie Martin, Jr. He flew into Houston this evening from Fair Grounds where he piloted Put Me In to victory in the $75,000 Marie Krantz Memorial this afternoon.

Josie G. broke well and was well rated by Martin through the early stages of the race. However, at the top of the stretch, several horses closed in and Josie G. looked as though there was no where to go. Martin found an opening and urged the chestnut filly through. She responded and drew off, completing the flat mile in a time of 1:40.29.
"That was a very gutsy effort on her part," admitted Martin. "I just sat there and when we had the opening, I guided her through. She’s bounced back from her last two races in great form."

"This was a super effort - a monster effort from her tonight," said Jay Severs, assistant to Calhoun. "She parted the Red Sea at the top of the lane and prevailed. It showed a lot of guts on her part to step up to the plate after two defeats and get the job done."

Olympic Emblem, from the barn of John Locke, was flying late and outran her odds of 20-1. Kevin Cogburn had the mount.

"I had a rough trip," said Cogburn. "My horse didn't break good. They had her just walking around the first turn. I just had to wait, swing out coming for home and find a place to go. That horse (Josie G.) got through; my horse was running, but the winner just had too big a kick."

"I am very pleased," added Locke. "She had a little trouble in that first turn and Kevin just waited and didn’t swing her out turning for home until it was time and she really showed her finishing kick. We debated running in this spot or a NW1X allowance on Sunday. Her owner told me she’d rather not run her horses on Sunday so we stayed in here and obviously that was a good decision. Her owner is a trainer in Kentucky so she will probably head up there now and run at Keeneland."

Josie G.returned $3.20 to win, $2.60 to place and $2.40 to show. The 8-5 paid $42.00 and the trifecta with Perennial Favorite returned $209.60 Lucky Tunnel, Fast and Fluid, Chocolate Gal, Rare Glitter and Cookin’s Cast completed the order of finish. Beau Watch and Allie’s Dream were scratched.