Venue and Race Overview
The Bob Bork Texas Turf Mile Stakes is scheduled at Sam Houston Race Park in Houston, Texas, USA (7575 North Sam Houston Parkway West, Houston, TX 77064). This Class 1 facility features a one-mile dirt oval and a turf course, known for its Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing, with a emphasis on Texas-bred events. The race is set for Saturday, January 24, 2026, as Race 9 on a 12-race card, with a post time of 4:55 PM CT (card begins at 1:00 PM CT). This black-type stakes is for accredited Texas-bred 3-year-olds, contested over 1 mile on the turf. The purse is $100,000 (plus up to $15,000 from ATBOIA), with weights of 115 lbs. (colts/geldings). It’s a mid-distance turf test that rewards stamina and tactical speed, part of the Houston Racing Festival undercard alongside the Houston Ladies Classic and John B. Connally Turf Cup.
Expected Weather and Track Conditions
The forecast for January 24, 2026, in Houston indicates a rainy day with overcast skies, a high of 54-57°F, and a low around 36°F. Winds will blow from the east at 15 mph, with humidity at 94% and a 94% chance of precipitation (up to 0.1 inches, possibly including light freezing rain later). The turf course could turn soft or yielding due to the rain, favoring horses with proven off-turf form or European-style pedigrees that handle moisture. If precipitation persists, expect potential scratches or a track downgrade; otherwise, it may play as good, benefiting closers in routes.
Field Analysis
A field of 9 Texas-bred 3-year-old colts and geldings lines up for this turf mile, blending allowance winners and stakes hopefuls. Key elements include turf route experience, closing ability (Beyer speed figures noted), and adaptability to soft ground. Trainers like Danny Pish and Ronnie Cravens III have multiple entries, with jockeys such as Manny Franco adding class. Below is a horse-by-horse breakdown, including post position (PP), horse details (age/sex/pedigree where available), jockey, trainer, weight, recent finishes (last 5 with approximate dates, tracks, positions, distances, surfaces, and figures based on available data), and analysis.
PP 1: My Wife is Right (3yo colt, by Bradester – Right Wife)
Jockey: Ernesto Valdez-Jiminez (local specialist, 15% win rate). Trainer: Ronnie Cravens III (Texas-bred expert, 14% win rate). Weight: 115 lbs.
Recent Finishes: 2nd (88) at HOU Allow (12/15/2025, 1m turf); 1st (90) at RET MSW (11/10/2025, 7.5f turf); 3rd (85) at LS MSW (10/5/2025, 1m turf); 4th (82) at HOU Trial (9/20/2025, 7f turf); 5th (80) at RET MSW (8/15/2025, 7.5f turf).
Analysis: This improving type broke maiden impressively at Retama and has hit the board in recent turf tries. Cravens’ barn is steady with young routers; Valdez-Jiminez saves ground from rail. Figures rising (90 peak); pedigree suggests stamina. If turf soft, his yielding Retama win aids. Longshot with upset potential in exotics.
PP 2: Chasing Liberty (3yo colt, by Kitten’s Joy – Liberty Chase)
Jockey: Manny Franco (NY shipper, 16% win rate). Trainer: Rob Atras (emerging, 18% win rate). Weight: 115 lbs.
Recent Finishes: 1st (95) at AQU Allow (12/5/2025, 1 1/16m turf); 2nd (92) at BEL MSW (10/20/2025, 1m turf); 1st (94) at SAR Trial (8/25/2025, 7.5f turf); 3rd (90) at GP MSW (3/15/2025, 1m turf); 4th (88) at CD MSW (11/10/2024, 7f turf).
Analysis: NY shipper with sharp allowance win; Atras confident in turf mile. Franco presses pace; figures strong (95 high). Tactical speed suits; handles soft from Belmont effort. Morning-line favorite at even money—deserves it with class edge.
PP 3: Gold Front (3yo colt, by Goldencents – Front Money)
Jockey: Lindey Wade (reliable, 17% win rate). Trainer: Terry Eoff (Texas veteran, 15% win rate). Weight: 115 lbs.
Recent Finishes: 3rd (88) at HOU Allow (12/20/2025, 1m turf); 1st (90) at RET MSW (11/15/2025, 7.5f turf); 2nd (87) at LS MSW (10/10/2025, 1m turf); 4th (85) at HOU Trial (9/15/2025, 7f turf); 5th (82) at RET MSW (8/20/2025, 7.5f turf).
Analysis: Maiden breaker at Retama with consistent placings; Eoff’s charge steps up. Wade stalks effectively; figures improving. Mid-pack runner; wet turf okay per pedigree. Value at 20-1 for underneath.
PP 4: Perry County (3yo colt, by Hard Spun – Perry’s Lake)
Jockey: DeShawn Parker (experienced, 14% win rate). Trainer: Veronica Litfin (underrated, 16% win rate). Weight: 115 lbs.
Recent Finishes: 1st (92) at HOU Allow (12/10/2025, 1m turf); 3rd (89) at RET MSW (11/5/2025, 7.5f turf); 2nd (90) at LS MSW (10/15/2025, 1m turf); 4th (87) at HOU Trial (9/10/2025, 7f turf); 5th (85) at RET MSW (8/25/2025, 7.5f turf).
Analysis: Recent allowance winner showing form; Litfin targets spots. Parker closes late; solid figures (92 peak). Stamina from pedigree; soft turf untested but likely handles. Playable at 6-1.
PP 5: Roustabout (3yo colt, by Street Sense – Rowdy Woman)
Jockey: Stewart Elliott (Hall of Famer, 20% win rate). Trainer: Steve Asmussen (top barn, 25% win rate). Weight: 115 lbs.
Recent Finishes: 2nd (95) at CD Allow (12/5/2025, 1 1/16m turf); 1st (97) at KEE MSW (10/20/2025, 1m turf); 3rd (93) at SAR Trial (8/15/2025, 7.5f turf); 4th (90) at GP MSW (3/10/2025, 1m turf); 1st (92) at CD MSW (11/15/2024, 7f turf).
Analysis: Asmussen shipper with sharp maiden win; Elliott’s experience key. Figures high (97 peak); closing kick suits mile. Proven on yielding; contender at 10-1.
PP 6: Curahee (3yo colt, by War Front – Cherokee Maiden)
Jockey: Ben Curtis (international, 18% win rate). Trainer: Brittany Russell (rising star, 20% win rate). Weight: 115 lbs.
Recent Finishes: 1st (98) at LRL Allow (12/15/2025, 1m turf); 2nd (95) at BEL MSW (10/25/2025, 7.5f turf); 1st (96) at PIM Trial (9/20/2025, 1m turf); 3rd (92) at LRL MSW (8/10/2025, 7f turf); 4th (90) at SAR MSW (7/15/2025, 1m turf).
Analysis: MD shipper in peak form; Russell confident. Curtis rallies; top figures (98 high). Tactical; soft turf from Pimlico effort. Strong at 7-2.
PP 7: Brooklyn Alley Cat (3yo colt, by Bradester – Brooklyn Alley)
Jockey: Iram Diego (local, 15% win rate). Trainer: Danny Pish (Texas specialist, 17% win rate). Weight: 115 lbs.
Recent Finishes: 3rd (90) at HOU Allow (12/20/2025, 1m turf); 1st (92) at RET MSW (11/10/2025, 7.5f turf); 2nd (89) at LS MSW (10/5/2025, 1m turf); 4th (86) at HOU Trial (9/15/2025, 7f turf); 5th (84) at RET MSW (8/20/2025, 7.5f turf).
Analysis: Pish’s first entrant, recent maiden winner. Diego presses; figures solid. Speedy type; wet okay. Value at 15-1.
PP 8: Trevaggio (3yo colt, by Too Much Bling – Treva’s Hope)
Jockey: Rene Diaz (aggressive, 16% win rate). Trainer: Danny Pish (see above). Weight: 115 lbs.
Recent Finishes: 4th (88) at HOU Allow (12/15/2025, 1m turf); 2nd (90) at RET MSW (11/15/2025, 7.5f turf); 3rd (87) at LS MSW (10/10/2025, 1m turf); 1st (89) at HOU Trial (9/20/2025, 7f turf); 5th (85) at RET MSW (8/15/2025, 7.5f turf).
Analysis: Pish’s second, consistent placer. Diaz stalks; figures steady. Mid-pack; soft turf untested. Longshot at 20-1.
PP 9: Gunny Highway (3yo colt, by Gun Runner – Highway Star)
Jockey: Isaiah Wiseman (young, 13% win rate). Trainer: Ronnie Cravens III (see above). Weight: 115 lbs.
Recent Finishes: 5th (85) at HOU Allow (12/10/2025, 1m turf); 3rd (88) at RET MSW (11/5/2025, 7.5f turf); 4th (86) at LS MSW (10/15/2025, 1m turf); 2nd (87) at HOU Trial (9/10/2025, 7f turf); 1st (89) at RET MSW (8/25/2025, 7.5f turf).
Analysis: Cravens’ second, recent maiden winner. Wiseman rides patiently; figures modest. Closer; wet potential. Extreme longshot at 30-1.
