(November 30, 2002)- My Friend Don owned by Mary L. Bonham of Spring, Texas, was the upset winner in tonight's feature at Sam Houston Race Park, the $30,000 Conroe Stakes. Ridden to victory by Bobby Walker, Jr., the 3-year-old Louisiana-bred gelding closed strongly in the stretch and held off a late bid by Agrivating General to capture the first stakes of his career.

Trained by Kenward Bernis, My Friend Don returned to the racetrack tonight following a win in an allowance race here on November 7. Walker guided him to the lead and covered the first quarter in :22.41 and the half in 46.21. Agrivating General made a bid in the stretch, but My Friend Don dug in and drew clear by 1-¾ lengths, winning the six furlong stakes in a time of 1:10.54.

"Kenward had him right for the race," said Walker. "When I called on him, he gave me everything and was the best horse tonight. He never gave up; I had two horses on either side trying hard and fortunately mine was trying just as hard and I had just a little more horse than they did."

This was the first Sam Houston Race Park stakes win for Bernis, who was elated following the victory.

“He turned out to be a pretty nice little horse,” said Bernis. “I want to thank Mary Bonham for letting me train this horse for her.”

Trainer Danny Pish had high hopes for Agrivating General, who broke his maiden last June at Lone Star in an impressive romp. Making his first start since June 29, the 3-year-old Texas-bred had been working well for his return.

" He made a good account of himself and showed that he belonged in stakes company,” said Pish. "I'm not sure where he will go next. I think we are going to ship him to New Orleans to run in a non winner of two.”

Heavy favorite, Richest Half owned by Nelson Bunker Hunt of Dallas, Texas, struggled tonight and finished fifth in the field of six runners. Trained by Steve Asmussen, and ridden tonight by Glen Murphy, the dark bay colt went to the lead and was shuffled back and never regained his momentum.

"He normally runs from out of it,” commented Shawn Talbot, assistant to Asmussen. “Tonight he wanted to go to the lead. Glen took him back and then he wasn't able to get him back into the race."

My Friend Don, sent off at odds of 12-1, paid $24.00 to win, $7.80 to place and $4.60 to show. The 4-6 exacta returned $99.60. Flash Forward completed the $563.40 trifecta. Padlock, Richest Half and Mutch Bigger Boots rounded out the field.

Bernis was not sure when My Friend Don will make his next start but will be looking for another stakes for him.

Two Divisions of the Texas Arabian Lone Star Stakes Run Tonight

A field of six Texas-bred Arabian fillies were entered in the first of the two Arabian stakes races on the Saturday evening card. Rodania Arbi trained by Billy G. Lewis and ridden by Robert Roller was a convincing winner. The 3-year-old filly, owned by Richard Kierkow won the six-furlong sprint in gate-to-wire fashion in a time of 1:22.10.

“When Billy called me to ride this filly, I did not hesitate,” said Roller. “She is really nice.”
In the colt and gelding division, 12 Arabians went postward with Delaware invader Lah Dee Dah capturing the stakes. Under confident handling by rider Helen Vanek, the 3-year-old colt drew clear of the field.

Owned and bred in Florida by Trackside Farms and trained by Loren Nichols, Lah Dee Dah has now won three of his nine lifetime starts and added $16.068 to his career bankroll for tonight’s victory.

“It is a pleasure having this colt in our barn,” admitted Nichols. “We will point him to the Texas Ranger Stakes (at a distance of one mile) at Sam Houston in February.”

In the colt and gelding division, 12 Arabians went postward with Delaware invader Lah Dee Dah capturing the stakes. Under confident handling by rider Helen Vanek, the 3-year-old colt drew clear of the field, crossing the wire in a time of 1:19.92.