Horse Race Preview: Race 7 – Sunlit Song Turf Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park

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Race Details

  • Venue Location: Sam Houston Race Park, 7575 North Sam Houston Parkway West, Houston, Texas 77064.
  • Scheduled Post Time: 3:42 PM CT (4:42 PM ET).
  • Race Type: Stakes race for Texas-accredited four-year-olds and upward. Distance: 1 1/16 miles on turf. Purse: $77,000. Expected field size: 9 horses.
  • Expected Weather Conditions: Mostly cloudy with a high of 64°F and a low of 48°F. Winds around 10 mph from the southeast. There is a 33% chance of rain (approximately 0.24 inches), which could lead to scattered showers. Humidity around 60%. Source: Local forecasts indicate mild winter conditions typical for Houston in late February, but monitor for updates as rain could soften the turf.
  • Track Conditions: The race is scheduled on the turf course, rated as firm to good based on recent patterns at Sam Houston Race Park. However, with the chance of rain, it could yield to soft or good-to-yielding by post time. The temporary rail is set at 30 feet, which may favor runners with inside speed or those able to save ground. The turf course has held up well this meet, with average winning times for 1 1/16 miles around 1:42-1:44 on firm going. No major biases noted, but front-runners have won 35% of turf routes this season.

This is the inaugural running of the Sunlit Song Turf Stakes under its current name, honoring the retired Texas-bred champion Sunlit Song, who amassed multiple stakes wins before hanging up his silks in 2025. The race attracts a competitive field of Texas-accredited older horses, with a mix of proven turf specialists and up-and-comers. The 1 1/16-mile distance suits routers, and with a modest pace expected, closers like Colonel Yorke could benefit. Morning line odds reflect a wide-open affair, with no dominant favorite, making it a bettor’s delight for exotics.

Field Analysis

The field consists of nine geldings, all Texas-breds, with weights ranging from 116 to 118 lbs (allowances for non-winners). Below is a detailed analysis of each horse, including post position, recent finishes (last three starts where available, based on Equibase data up to early 2026), jockey, trainer, morning line odds, and key insights. Recent finishes are summarized as Date-Track-Distance-Finish Position (e.g., 1/10 means 1st out of 10). Analyses consider form, pedigree suitability for turf, trainer/jockey stats at Sam Houston (SHRP), and potential race shape.

  1. Proven Advocate (Post 1, 5YO Gelding, Not This Time – Song of Melody by Flat Out)
    1. Jockey: Elvin Gonzalez (20% win rate at SHRP this meet, excels in turf routes).
    1. Trainer: Jayde J. Gelner (38% win rate in stakes at SHRP, hot barn with 10 wins in last 21 days).
    1. Morning Line Odds: 7/2.
    1. Recent Finishes: 2/22/26 – SHRP (1 1/16M Turf Stakes) – 1/11 (won by neck, ESF 91); 7/5/25 – Lone Star (1M Turf Allowance) – 4/10; 6/8/25 – Lone Star (1 1/16M Turf Stakes) – 3/8.
    1. Analysis: This consistent turf router comes off a stakes win at this track and distance, showing strong closing kick (late pace figs 100+). Pedigree leans toward stamina, with sire Not This Time producing durable runners. Inside post helps save ground, but he needs a clean trip to unleash his rally. Gelner’s recent form (10/26 wins) makes him a top contender; expect him to stalk mid-pack and pounce late. Value at ML if pace collapses.
  2. Silver Assassin (Post 2, 5YO Gelding, Early Flyer – Archer City by Silver City)
    1. Jockey: Floyd Wethey Jr. (solid 15% win rate on turf at SHRP).
    1. Trainer: Karen E. Jacks (17% win rate overall, strong with claimers turned stakes horses).
    1. Morning Line Odds: 8/1.
    1. Recent Finishes: 1/17/26 – SHRP (6F Dirt Allowance) – 2/8 (beaten 1 length); 6/21/24 – Lone Star (1M Turf Allowance) – 3/8 (ESF 87); 7/4/25 – Lone Star (1 1/16M Turf Allowance) – 5/10.
    1. Analysis: Speedy type who wired a shorter allowance last out but stretches to route. Pedigree is sprint-oriented, but dam side adds some stamina. Jacks has conditioned him well for turf (3 wins from 6 starts), and post 2 allows early position. Could control a soft pace, but fading risk late against stronger closers. Upset chance if uncontested on lead; Wethey knows how to rate.
  3. Guitar Boy (Post 3, 6YO Gelding, Star Guitar – Trick City by Hat Trick)
    1. Jockey: Weston Hamilton (reliable 12% win rate, good on longshots).
    1. Trainer: Mackenzie Kane (emerging trainer with 18% win rate in routes).
    1. Morning Line Odds: 15/1.
    1. Recent Finishes: 1/17/26 – SHRP (1M Turf Allowance) – 6/8; 2/8/26 – SHRP (1M Dirt Allowance) – 4/10; 12/28/25 – Fair Grounds (1 1/16M Turf Allowance) – 5/9.
    1. Analysis: Veteran with inconsistent form, but sire Star Guitar excels on turf (offspring win 25% on grass). Recent races show mid-pack style, but lacks closing punch (late pace figs 80-85). Kane’s small string has hit board 33% at SHRP. Post 3 aids ground-saving trip, but needs career-best to contend. Best as exotics filler if pace melts down.
  4. North of Bali (Post 4, 6YO Gelding, Bal a Bali – Misty North by North Light)
    1. Jockey: Rodolfo Guerra Singh (experienced, 10% win rate on turf).
    1. Trainer: Daniel R. Cangemi (steady 14% win rate with older horses).
    1. Morning Line Odds: 30/1.
    1. Recent Finishes: Limited recent data; 1/23/26 – SHRP (1M Dirt Allowance) – 7/9; 12/20/25 – Fair Grounds (1 1/16M Turf Claiming) – 4/8; 11/15/25 – Delta Downs (7F Dirt Allowance) – 6/10.
    1. Analysis: Longshot with turf pedigree (sire Bal a Bali was a G1 turf winner). Form is spotty, with no wins in last 10 starts, but shows occasional closing ability. Cangemi targets spots like this. Post 4 is neutral; could sneak into superfecta if top guns falter, but unlikely to threaten win. Use in deep exotics.
  5. Colonel Yorke (Post 5, 4YO Gelding, Excaper – Ella’s Glory by Honour and Glory)
    1. Jockey: Stewart Elliott (Hall of Famer, 20% win rate at SHRP).
    1. Trainer: Mindy J. Willis (top SHRP trainer, 22% win rate in turf stakes).
    1. Morning Line Odds: 2/1 (favorite).
    1. Recent Finishes: 9/28/25 – Remington (1 1/8M Dirt G3 Oklahoma Derby) – 3/8; 8/29/25 – Remington (1M Turf Stakes) – 1/10; 7/4/25 – Lone Star (1M Turf Allowance) – 1/10.
    1. Analysis: Morning line favorite off back-to-back wins, including a stakes at Remington. Pedigree screams turf (sire Excaper was a turf specialist). Willis (multiple stakes wins with similar types) pairs with Elliott for a potent combo. Post 5 allows stalking trip; strong late kick (ESF 91+). Fatigue from Nuggets’ back-to-back? Still, class of the field; top pick.
  6. Supersecretweapon (Post 6, 6YO Gelding, Spellbinder – Artie’s Girl by Artie Schiller)
    1. Jockey: Isaiah Wiseman (up-and-coming, 12% win rate).
    1. Trainer: Tina Rena Hurley (solid with longshots, 15% in routes).
    1. Morning Line Odds: 12/1.
    1. Recent Finishes: 1/17/26 – SHRP (1M Turf Allowance) – 3/8; 2/8/26 – SHRP (1 1/16M Turf Allowance) – 6/10; 12/21/25 – Fair Grounds (1M Turf Claiming) – 2/9 (ESF 72).
    1. Analysis: Tactical speedster who pressed pace in recent allowance (placed 3rd). Pedigree for grass (dam by Artie Schiller). Hurley has him peaking; post 6 for mid-pack run. Could wire if loose, but class rise a concern. Value for exotics.
  7. Regal Terka (Post 7, 5YO Gelding, Eagle – Pinetop by Summer Bird)
    1. Jockey: Deshawn L. Parker (veteran, 18% on turf).
    1. Trainer: Mindy J. Willis (same as #5, hot 22% in stakes).
    1. Morning Line Odds: 4/1.
    1. Recent Finishes: 1/23/26 – SHRP (1M Turf Allowance) – 4/9; 2/7/26 – SHRP (1 1/16M Turf Stakes) – 1/10; 1/17/26 – SHRP (1M Turf Allowance) – 1/8.
    1. Analysis: Stablemate to favorite; won Richard King Turf Stakes in 2025. Consistent closer (late pace 95+). Willis duo strong; post 7 wide but Parker saves ground. Turf pedigree solid. Contender if pace quick.
  8. Mor Victory (Post 8, 6YO Gelding, Mor Spirit – Deputy Sarah by Deputy Commander)
    1. Jockey: Lane J. Luzzi (top SHRP rider, 25% win rate).
    1. Trainer: Jayde J. Gelner (same as #1, in form).
    1. Morning Line Odds: 5/1.
    1. Recent Finishes: 7/5/25 – Lone Star (1M Turf Allowance) – 6/10 (ESF 103); 6/8/25 – Lone Star (1 1/16M Turf Stakes) – 2/8; 3/22/25 – Fair Grounds (1 1/8M Turf Stakes) – 2/10.
    1. Analysis: Stakes-placed router with speed; Gelner/Luzzi combo lethal (38% together). Post 8 wide, but tactical. Pedigree for distance. Live if duels early.
  9. Just Bernie (Post 9, 4YO Gelding, Bernardini – Shylock’s Daughter by Star Dabbler)
    1. Jockey: Rene Diaz (aggressive, 14% win rate).
    1. Trainer: Ethan W. West (rising, 20% with young geldings).
    1. Morning Line Odds: 12/1.
    1. Recent Finishes: 10/8/25 – Keeneland (1M Turf Maiden Claiming) – 1/10; 9/21/25 – Remington (1M Dirt Allowance) – 9/10; 8/29/25 – Remington (7F Dirt Maiden) – 2/8.
    1. Analysis: Lightly raced; broke maiden on turf last out. Sire Bernardini adds class. West has him improving; post 9 tough, but closer style. Upset potential.