Pedigree Query

The Ladies Classic and Conally Turf Cup (both now listed as G3 stakes) are to be run this evening at SHRP as keystones of their Ladies Classic Day program of top notch horse racing.

Larry Jones has brought back the defending champion of the Ladies Classic, 5YO mare CASSATT, to challenge for the win for her third time lifetime. She is a an excellent example of a talented race mare well managed by both trainer and connections - given sufficient time off after surgery when some arthritic issues developed in her knees after last year's in The Ladies Classic to assure she was not just recovered physically and race fit but to make sure she was able to return to race at her former level....and she is back to her winning ways so will be interesting to see if she conquers the Sam Houston oval as she has in the past. This is the fourth running of the Ladies Classic with Jones having won two of the prior 3 stagings - with CASSATT last year and JOYFUL VICTORY in 2013.

Dallas Stewart has brought in FOREVER UNBRIDLED to challenge in the Ladies Classic with Joel Rosario coming in for the ride.

The Connally Turf Cup, earlier in the program (racing begins at 5PM (CST) this evening) will feature DA BIG HOSS for trainer Mike Maker. There are also a $75k and $50 race on the program tonight so many good betting opportunities.

Hi Jellac,
They certainly put together a nice card at SH last night. What a good claim Da Big Horse turned out to be, taking his 3rd stakes and 4th win overall out of 6 starts since the claim. TJ

I thought Forever Unbridled won nicely and I look forward to her moving along to bigger and better things this year. It really is too bad her sister (Unbridled Forever) was retired - together they would have been forces to reckon with.

TJ -

Obviously I've been out of touch....I had no idea DA BIG HOSS had been claimed until I read you post. So; I went back and researched it. You are right: one heck of a claim indeed!!

Nice to hear your favorable comments on the card last night - hopefully the offsite and onsite handle combined were reflective of the efforts to put together such a good program. I wasn't able to go as I had made another commitment months ago for same date (rats!). Wasn't surprised that jockey Florent Geroux did well here as he was on good horses - but winning three of the four top races while coming in second in that fourth one is quite something. And I don't believe he has ever ridden here before so all the more commendable.

(Full disclosure -I'm a Texan so you know I have to brag a bit.) Our turf course - the Connally course - is VERY NICE - not as heavy or deep as an Irish/English grass course but the base is giving and Houston get's enough rain - especially in late fall/winter months - that there is plenty of grass so it is forgiving and springy for running. I have heard nothing but praise for it since Sam Houston opened. And the dirt course is likewise well appreciated by horsemen and horses: the unique composition of deep base of Brazos River bottom sand has made for a forgiving natural 'sandy' dirt track not as hard or as fast as some other dirt tracks while not being 'deep'. It is said to be kinder to the front end/tendons of the race horses - especially appreciated by the trainers/owners and fans of two and young three year olds. I've heard good feedback from both quarter horse and thoroughbred and arabian race horse trainers as to the two surfaces.

Meanwhile - like all of Texas - we struggle to make horse racing sustainable. It's hard to do with our location less than 2 hours from Vinton (Louisiana/Delta Downs) with it's more attractive purses, infused with money from the slots gambling that is legal there. Would be nice if we could put on this kind of program more often