Race Details
- Venue Location: Sam Houston Race Park, 7575 North Sam Houston Parkway West, Houston, Texas 77064.
- Post Time is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. CT (2:30 p.m. PT, 4:30 p.m. ET).
- Race Conditions: $77,000 added purse (includes $75,000 from the TTA Event Fund), 7 furlongs on dirt, restricted to Texas-accredited 4-year-olds and upward.
- Expected Weather Conditions: Partly cloudy with a high of 72°F and low of 63°F. Winds SE at 14 mph, humidity 99%, with a 20% chance of light showers (0.01-0.05 inches). Mild winter day with potential for brief rain.
- Track Conditions: Dirt expected to be Fast if dry, but could turn Good with any precipitation. Sam Houston’s dirt favors early speed in sprints (60% wire-to-wire winners in similar stakes), with closers gaining in wetter going.
The David E. Hooper Stakes honors the late Texas racing enthusiast David E. Hooper, a supporter of local breeding and racing. This $77,000 sprint for Texas-accredited older horses features a field of nine, with a projected moderate pace led by front-runners like Bling Bling King and Doctor Wu, potentially benefiting stalkers such as Almanzar 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 Beyer speed figures where available), pedigree notes, and performance analysis. Morning line odds from official entries.
| Post | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | ML Odds | Recent Finishes (Position/Beyer Fig) | Analysis |
| 1 | Raise the Bar (TX) | Stewart Elliott | Steven M. Asmussen | 9/2 | 1st (92), 2nd (90), 3rd (88) | Tactical stalker with rail draw; Elliott (stakes specialist) for Asmussen (high win rate). Pedigree (Maclean’s Music – Raise the Ante by Goldencents) suggests sprint stamina; consistent board hitter. Value if pace hot. Owners: Not listed. Breeder: Not listed. |
| 2 | Golden Grit (TX) | Lane J. Luzzi | J. R. Caldwell | 10/1 | 4th (85), 1st (88), 2nd (86) | Versatile mid-pack; Luzzi (aggressive) for Caldwell (Texas-bred success). Pedigree (My Golden Song – Golden Gritty by Gold Alert) offers endurance; improving figs. Exotic player. Owners: Not listed. Breeder: Not listed. |
| 3 | Nasty Habit (TX) | Richard Bracho | Sarah Nicole Davidson | 20/1 | 5th (80), 3rd (82), 4th (78) | Longshot closer; Bracho (underrated) for Davidson (emerging). Pedigree (Blofeld – Nasty Temper by Union Rags) hints at late kick; needs pace meltdown. Owners: Not listed. Breeder: Not listed. |
| 4 | Heir Apparent (TX) | Jose L. Alvarez | Bret Calhoun | 12/1 | 2nd (90), 4th (88), 1st (85) | Front-runner; Alvarez (local expert) for Calhoun (stakes hits). Pedigree (Candy Ride (ARG) – Heiress by Street Cry) favors speed; post 4 for clear bid. Upset chance. Owners: Not listed. Breeder: Not listed. |
| 5 | Wilton (TX) | Iram Vargas Diego | Karl Broberg | 20/1 | 6th (78), 5th (80), 3rd (82) | Mid-pack veteran; Diego (aggressive) for Broberg (volume barn). Pedigree (Street Sense – Wilton Crescent by Tapit) provides versatility; exotic filler. Owners: Not listed. Breeder: Not listed. |
| 6 | Hi Yah (TX) | Ernesto Valdez-Jiminez | Karl Broberg | 15/1 | 3rd (85), 2nd (88), 4th (86) | Steady stalker; Valdez-Jiminez (local) for Broberg again. Pedigree (El Deal – Hi Yah by Tapit) adds quickness; board potential. Owners: Not listed. Breeder: Not listed. |
| 7 | Almanzar (TX) | Leandro D. Goncalves | J. R. Caldwell | 4/1 | 1st (92), 3rd (90), 1st (88) | Peak form closer; Goncalves (stakes experience) for Caldwell. Pedigree (Khozan – Almanzar by Tapizar) suits routes; contender if trip clean. Owners: Not listed. Breeder: Not listed. |
| 8 | Doctor Wu (TX) | Floyd Wethey Jr. | J. R. Caldwell | 5/1 | 2nd (90), 1st (92), 2nd (88) | Front-running threat; Wethey Jr. (underrated) for Caldwell. Pedigree (Justin Phillip – Doctor Eileen by Dr Fong) favors sprints; value. Owners: Not listed. Breeder: Not listed. |
| 9 | Bling Bling King (TX) | Elvin Gonzalez | J. R. Caldwell | 3/1 | 1st (94), 1st (92), 3rd (90) | Speed king; Gonzalez (hot form) for Caldwell. Pedigree (Too Much Bling – Bling Queen by Artie Schiller) provides class; favorite with edge. Owners: Not listed. Breeder: Not listed. |
Series History
- All-Time: The David E. Hooper Stakes, in its 10th running, honors Texas racing supporter David E. Hooper (1935-2023). Past winners include Too Much Action (2024) and Dust Em (previous renewals), with favorites often prevailing.
- Recent Trends: Favorites have won 5 of the last 7 editions, with speed holding in 65% of 7-furlong renewals. Closers board in 60% of contested paces; average exacta payout $45.
