(March 21,2006) - Rapid Proof, winner of the 2005 Connally Breeders' Cup Turf last April at Sam Houston Race Park, returned to action on Friday, March 17 in a turf allowance at Sam Houston Race Park. The 6-year-old multiple-stakes winner is bred and owned by Dolphus Morrison of Birmingham, Alabama, but had not run since last November at Remington Park.

He had to settle for second in his comeback race as Seainsky. trained by Danny Pish and ridden by Roman Chapa, won in impressive fashion.

“Very impressive horse,” said Chapa. “I studied the Form; he’s been falling a little too far behind in his last few races. I wanted to keep him in the race a little earlier and it made a big difference tonight. Turning for home, he did it very confidently. In the last 16th of a mile, I didn’t need to ask him. He gave it all he had.”

“We’ve tried keeping him closer to the pace, but tonight he was willing to do it,” added Pish. “It’s hard to say how much of that was Roman and how much was circumstances, but he got involved earlier and it made a difference.”

Pish has gone full circle with Seainsky, who for several years was conditioned by Wes Hawley for owner Jack L. Gullett.

“Actually, I broke this horse and got him started,” said Pish. “I was headed to Retama Park and his owners thought he was a little better class of horse, so they let Wes have him. He was coming back off his second long layoff and Mr. Gullett decided to let me have another shot at him. So here we are and we’re pointing toward the Connally Breeders' Cup Turf.”

Brian Hernandez, Jr., regular rider of Rapid Proof, who is trained by Hal Wiggins, was not disappointed in his second place showing in the 1 1/16 mile turf allowance.

“This was his first race in three months and he came running hard,” commented Hernandez on Rapid Proof’s effort. “When he got in the middle of the track, he kind of goofed off a little, but when I asked him to finish, he ended up finishing well. The pace was pretty quick, but he handled the turf course well. He seemed like he was back to his old self tonight.”

Sam Houston Race Park Chaplaincy Hosts National Event Featuring Pat Day

Sam Houston Race Park is proud to host the Race Track Chaplaincy of America’s Chaplains School and Annual Meeting this week. The nationwide event will occur this week from Wednesday, March 22 through Monday, March 27.

The Race Track Chaplaincy of America (RTCA) is a wonderful organization serving racetracks across the country. Here at Sam Houston Race Park, Chaplain John Shumaker presides over many programs for horsemen, jockeys and backside workers including Sunday morning worship service in the Chaplaincy building at 11:00 a.m. and Tuesday evening Bible Study at 7:00 p.m. The public is always welcome to attend. Shumaker and the Chaplaincy provide clothing, blankets and food for those in need on the backside. Counseling is provided for spiritual, emotional and financial needs.

Racing fans are invited to attend a special event on Sunday, March 26 when Hall of Fame Jockey Pat Day will take part in a worship service at Sam Houston Race Park. The program will take place on the South Apron at Sam Houston Race Park at 11 a.m.

Day, who was inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame in 1991, has won over 8,700 races in his celebrated career, including nine Triple Crown races and 12 Breeders’ Cup victories. He rode at Sam Houston Race Park on many occasions, winning the 1994 Sam Houston Oaks aboard Two Altazano. Day won his first ever Quarter Horse race here, guiding Turbo Tex to victory in a Quarter Horse match race entitled “A Match Made in Heaven” in 2004.

On Saturday, March 25 at 8 p.m., Christian Country duo, Branded, will perform live at Hotel Sofitel. The Christian duo currently has five top ten songs and nominations for Vocal Duo and New Artist of the Year. Following the concert, Pastor John Greiner of Glorious Way Church in the Champions area, will deliver a special message.

For more information, call the Chaplain’s office at 281-807-8700.

Love Me Dew Eligible for Arabian Cup’s Triple Crown

Love Me Dew, owned by Darla and Charles Ripley’s Dreamfield Arabian Racehorses, will one of the favorites in the $45,000 Texas Yellow Rose on Saturday night at Sam Houston Race Park. Trained by Lynnett Hershbell and ridden by Gregorio Rivera, Love Me Dew captured the $100,000 Daughters of the Desert Oaks at Los Alamitos on January 13 and will compete in the fillies’ division of the Arabian Cup’s Triple Crown.

In addition to the $45,000 Texas Yellow Rose, Arabian colts and geldings will compete in the $45,000 Texas Six Shooter, also slated for Saturday, March 25 at Sam Houston Race Park.

Sam Houston Race Park to Simulcast Stakes Races from Dubai

Sam Houston Race Park will simulcast the $6 million Dubai World Cup in Saudi Arabia, the world’s richest race on Saturday, March 25. Gates will open at 8:15 a.m. and racing fans will be able to watch and wager on four of the six exciting stakes races, the first set for 8:55 a.m. (CST).

The northwest Houston racetrack will also simulcast the Dubai Sheema Classic, Dubai Golden Shaheen and the Dubai Duty Free. Each of the two million dollar stakes races will feature many of the finest racehorses from all around, including Pleasantly Perfect, winner of last years Dubai World Cup. A complete list of contenders can be found on www.dubaiworldcup.com.

Jockey, Trainer and Owner Standings

Quincy Hamilton won three races last week and continues to lead in the jockey standings at Sam Houston Race Park. Hamilton now has a total of 71 wins and $676,832 in earnings. Glen Murphy remains in second place with 66 wins and is followed by Larry Taylor, who has 62. Filemon Rodriguez picked up four wins last week and is in fourth place with 56 victories. Omar Rodriguez and Justin Shepherd continue their battle for fifth place in the jockey standings and remain tied for the fourth week in a row with 35 wins each.

Danny Pish saddled four winners last week and continues to lead in the trainer standings with a total of 45 wins and $548,736 in earnings. John Locke had a solid week, winning five races to secure his second place standing with 43 victories. W. Bret Calhoun is third with 39 wins and Steve Asmussen follows with 36 wins. Andy Konkoly rounds out the top five with 27 wins.

Shrum Racing, Inc. has the lead in the owner standings with 13 wins. Jim Bausch is in second place with 12 victories. Stephen Baker, Nelco Farms, Israel Flores Charles Hukill and Richard Bird are tied with nine wins each.

Jockey Omar Rodriguez Wins First Stakes of the Meeting

Omar Rodriguez had one of his best nights at Sam Houston Race Park on Saturday, March 18 as he won three races on the card, including guiding longshot Andanight ($62.80) to victory in the $40,000 Spring Stakes.

Rodriguez, 31, was born in Puerto Rico and joined the Sam Houston Race Park jockey colony this year. He rides for many horsemen and won his first stakes of the meeting last Saturday night for Nelco Farms and trainer Juan Rivera.

“I wasn’t surprised at the result,” commented Rodriguez. “He has been training well and his other races were too short. He’s got a big heart.”

Road to the Kentucky Derby Contest Underway at Sam Houston Race Park

Sam Houston Race Park is now in halfway through the Road to the Kentucky Derby handicapping contest. The contest started on March 4 and continues every Saturday through April 22. The eight-week contest offers $4,800 in cash prizes and is open to all racing fans, 21-years of age or older.

Contestants will make mythical $2 win and place wagers on all of the major prep races leading to the Kentucky Derby.

Registration begins every Saturday at 10:30 a.m. until the official deadline, which will be prior to the post time of the first contest race.

The winners will be determined by the highest cumulative bankroll from all $2 win and place bets from each week’s contest. The contest is not limited to VIP Club members, but the prize money is double for all winning finishers who are members. The winner, if a VIP member will receive $1,000, second place finisher will receive $500, $300 will go the third place contestant and the fourth place participant will be awarded $200. Non-VIP Club members will receive $500 for first place, $250 for second, $150 for third and $100 for fourth. Weekly prizes will also be awarded to the three highest weekly bankrolls.

Last week’s winners were Judy Mantooth, Rose Rayten and Greg Etie.

To become a VIP Club Member, visit the Player’s Lounge in the Grandstand or call 281-807-8760. More information regarding the Road to the Kentucky Derby handicapping contest may also be obtained by calling 281-807-8760, or by visiting www.shrp.com.

Sam Houston Race Park Offers King of the Hill Contest

Sam Houston Race Park’s King of the Hill Handicapping Contest will take place this Thursday, March 23 and requires participants to handicap four races from the Sam Houston Race Park live Thoroughbred race card. The rules or qualifications for each of the four races will vary, adding an entertaining challenge to the handicapping. The rules are as follows:

• First race: contestants must select a horse to finish in the first five positions
• Second race: contestants must select a horse to finish in the first four positions
• Third race: contestants must select a horse to finish in the first three positions
• Fourth race: contestants must select a horse to finish in the first two positions
• Fifth race: contestants must select a horse to win the race

The contestant to successfully make selections satisfying each of the race qualifications will be awarded $500. Interested patrons may enter the contest starting at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 23 until 15 minutes prior to the post time for the fourth race. Contestants must be 21 years of age or older to participate.

For more information regarding the “King of the Hill” Handicapping Contest, please call 281-807-8760 or visit www.shrp.com.

March Food, Beverage and Admission Specials at Sam Houston Race Park

Sam Houston Race Park continues to offer free admission all day on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and before gates open for live racing on Thursdays through Sundays. Each Thursday night not only features $1 beer, but a $12.99 Seafood Platter as well. The Seafood Platter is offered in the Winner’s Circle Restaurant and includes fried catfish, shrimp and oysters with french fries, hush puppies, cole slaw and all the fixings. The Winner’s Circle Restaurant also offers a $12.99 Steak Dinner on Sunday evenings, which includes a salad, garlic mashed potatoes and vegetables. Or you may join us next Thursday.

The Player’s Lounge features Player’s Hour each Friday from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Patrons may reserve a private betting carrel in the Players Lounge for just $1. Players who reserve a betting carrel will have a private area, which includes a television and availability of a personal wagering machine. In addition, sports fans will be able to enjoy all major televised sporting events and view minute-to-minute quotes from the New York and NASDAQ exchanges. After your purchase of ten carrels, you will receive a complimentary one for a night of your choice.

For more information, call 281-870-8760 or visit www.shrp.com.