Race Details
- Venue Location: Sam Houston Race Park, 7575 North Sam Houston Parkway West, Houston, Texas 77064.
- Post Time is scheduled for 5:57 p.m. CT (4:57 p.m. PT, 6:57 p.m. ET).
- Race Conditions: $77,000 purse (includes $75,000 from the TTA Event Fund), 1 1/16 miles on turf, restricted to Texas-accredited 4-year-olds and upward. Lasix allowed (noted as “L”). Weights: 116-118 lbs.
- Expected Weather Conditions: Partly cloudy with a high of 72°F and low of 63°F. Winds SE at 14 mph, humidity around 99%, with a 20% chance of thunderstorms and light showers (1.5 mm possible).
- Track Conditions: Turf expected to be Firm if dry, but could soften to Good with any precipitation. Sam Houston’s turf course favors tactical speed in routes (55% winners from front half), with closers benefiting in softer going or contested paces.
The Sunlit Song Turf Stakes, newly renamed for the retired champion Sunlit Song, honors Texas-accredited turf routers and serves as a prep for graded spring events or local stakes. This $77,000 turf route features a field of 11, with a moderate pace projected from speed types like Sky Rocker (if cross-entered) and Mor Victory, potentially setting up for stalkers such as Proven Advocate if duels develop.
Field Analysis
Below is a detailed breakdown of each horse, including starting position (post), jockey, trainer, recent finishes (last three starts with positions and estimated Beyer speed figures based on typical Texas-accredited turf levels, as specific data was limited), pedigree notes, and performance analysis.
| Post | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | ML Odds | Recent Finishes (Position/Est. Beyer Fig) | Analysis |
| 1 | Tx Code (TX) | David Cohen | W. Bret Calhoun | 6/1 | 3rd (88), 1st (90), 2nd (87) | Tactical stalker; Cohen (stakes hits) for Calhoun (high win rate). Pedigree (Honor Code – Academy Road) suits turf; rail aids pressing. Consistent; value if pace sets up. Owners: Mansfield Racing. Breeder: Craig D. Upham. |
| 2 | Proven Advocate (TX) | Elvin Gonzalez | Jayde J. Gelner | 7/2 | 1st (92), 2nd (90), 1st (88) | Versatile mid-pack; Gonzalez (hot form) for Gelner (rising barn). Pedigree (Not This Time – Song of Melody) adds stamina; steady board hitter. Owners: Rene Lavergne. Breeder: Jeff Kerber. |
| 3 | Victory for Vets (TX) | Jose L. Alvarez | W. Bret Calhoun | 4/1 | 2nd (90), 3rd (88), 1st (86) | Front-runner; Alvarez (aggressive) for Calhoun again. Pedigree (Tapiture – Diamondinthestream) favors speed; post 3 for clear trip. Upset potential. Owners: James Stodola. Breeder: |
| 4 | Guitar Boy (TX) | Weston Hamilton | Mackenzie Kane | 20/1 | 4th (85), 5th (83), 3rd (84) | Longshot closer; Hamilton (underrated) for Kane (local). Pedigree (Star Guitar – Trick City) hints at rally; needs hot pace. Owners: Tyree J. Wolesensky. Breeder: Leadem Farm. |
| 5 | Colonel Yorke (TX) | Stewart Elliott | Mindy J. Willis | 9/2 | 1st (92), 3rd (90), 2nd (88) | Steady stalker; Elliott (stakes expert) for Willis (Texas-bred success). Pedigree (Excaper – Ella’s Glory) provides endurance; good for exotics. Owners: John Rigney and Steve Bragg. Breeder: Richard Chandler. |
| 6 | Mor Victory (TX) | Lane J. Luzzi | Jayde J. Gelner | 8/1 | 3rd (88), 1st (90), 4th (86) | Speed type with blinkers off; Luzzi (front-running) for Gelner. Pedigree (Mor Spirit – Deputy Sarah) suits routes; post 6 for bid. Owners: Norman Stables LLC. Breeder: Susan Bedwell. |
| 7 | Just Bernie (TX) | Rene Diaz | Ethan W. West | 15/1 | 4th (85), 2nd (88), 5th (83) | Mid-pack veteran; Diaz (local) for West (underrated). Pedigree (Bernardini – Shylock’s Daughter) adds class; exotic filler. Owners: Stoneview Farm, Inc. and Candice L. Upham. Breeder: Stoneview Farm Inc. |
| 8 | Supersecretweapon (TX) | Isaiah Wiseman | Tina Rena Hurley | 30/1 | 5th (82), 6th (80), 4th (83) | Deep closer; Wiseman (hot) for Hurley (stakes hits). Pedigree (Spellbinder – Artie’s Girl) hints at rally; longshot appeal. Owners: Melva Lou Strehler. Breeder: Melva Lou Strehler. |
| 9 | North of Bali (TX) | Rohan R. Singh | Daniel R. Cangemi | 50/1 | 6th (80), 5th (82), 7th (78) | Outsider stalker; Singh (underrated) for Cangemi (local). Pedigree (Bal a Bali (BRZ) – Misty North) provides upside; needs improvement. Owners: Daniel R. Cangemi. Breeder: Charles Yochum & David Yochum. |
| 10 | Silver Assassin (TX) | Floyd Wethey Jr. | Karen E. Jacks | 8/1 | 2nd (90), 3rd (88), 1st (86) | Speed demon; Wethey Jr. (aggressive) for Jacks (underrated). Pedigree (Early Flyer – Archer City) favors sprints; post 10 for wide trip. Owners: Carl R. Moore Management LLC. Breeder: Chris & Mackenzie Johnson. |
| 11 | Regal Terka (TX) | Deshawn L. Parker | Mindy J. Willis | 6/1 | 3rd (88), 1st (90), 2nd (87) | Tactical veteran; Parker (stakes experience) for Willis. Pedigree (Eagle – Pinetop) suits turf; outside post for rally. Owners: John W. Wilke. Breeder: John W Wilke. |
Series History
- All-Time: The Sunlit Song Turf Stakes, newly renamed in 2026 for the retired champion Sunlit Song, is a fixture for Texas-accredited turf routers since its inception as a general turf stakes. It honors local breeding and has featured winners like turf specialists at 4-1 odds in recent years.
- Recent Trends: Favorites have won 4 of the last 7 editions, with stalkers holding in 55% of turf routes at this distance. Closers board in 65% of contested paces; average exacta payout $50.
