The Spirit of Texas Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park is set to be an exciting six-furlong sprint on dirt, featuring a competitive field of Texas-accredited four-year-olds and upward. With a purse of $75,000, this stakes race promises thrilling action. Here’s a detailed analysis of the horses, jockeys, trainers, and pedigrees:
Horses, Jockeys, Trainers, and Pedigrees
- Unbridled Bling (TX)
- Jockey: Lindey Wade
- Trainer: Alex Hernandez
- Pedigree: Too Much Bling – Here’s the Deal, by Half Ours
- Overview: This four-year-old gelding is coming off a dominant win at Sam Houston, where he showcased his speed and versatility. His sire, Too Much Bling, is a leading Texas stallion known for producing sprinters, while his dam adds stamina to his pedigree. Unbridled Bling’s recent form makes him a strong contender.
- Too Much Action (TX)
- Jockey: Rene Diaz
- Trainer: J.R. Caldwell
- Pedigree: Too Much Bling – Quatre Rose, by Candy Ride (ARG)
- Overview: A six-year-old gelding with a stellar record, Too Much Action has been a consistent performer in stakes races. His sire, Too Much Bling, contributes speed, while his dam’s sire, Candy Ride, adds class and stamina. He enters as the morning-line favorite and is expected to be a major player.
- Mister Monte Carlo (TX)
- Jockey: David Cabrera
- Trainer: Jaylan Renay Clary
- Pedigree: Texas Chrome – Conquest Tapgirl, by Tapizar
- Overview: This four-year-old gelding recently broke through with a win at Sam Houston, showing improvement in his form. His sire, Texas Chrome, was a multiple stakes winner, and his dam’s sire, Tapizar, adds versatility. Mister Monte Carlo is an intriguing longshot.
- Sunday Bling (TX)
- Jockey: Stewart Elliott
- Trainer: J.R. Caldwell
- Pedigree: Too Much Bling – Silver Sunday, by Badge of Silver
- Overview: A seven-year-old veteran, Sunday Bling has a wealth of experience and multiple stakes wins to his name. His pedigree is packed with speed influences, making him a dangerous contender if he can recapture his best form.
- Bling Mountain (TX)
- Jockey: Alfredo Triana Jr.
- Trainer: M. Brent Davidson
- Pedigree: Imma Wild Bling – Stormy Mountain, by Monashee Mountain
- Overview: This six-year-old gelding is coming off a win at Sam Houston, where he displayed tactical speed. His sire, Imma Wild Bling, is a lesser-known son of Too Much Bling, while his dam adds durability. Bling Mountain is a consistent performer and a strong contender.
- Turn North (TX)
- Jockey: Deshawn L. Parker
- Trainer: Abel Ramirez-Rodriguez
- Pedigree: Classic Empire – Al’s Rosie, by Harlan’s Holiday
- Overview: A four-year-old gelding with a recent win at Sam Houston, Turn North is improving with each start. His sire, Classic Empire, was a champion two-year-old, and his dam’s sire, Harlan’s Holiday, adds class. Turn North is a top contender with strong recent form.
- The Devil’s Bet (TX)
- Jockey: Isaiah Wiseman
- Trainer: Jaylan Renay Clary
- Pedigree: Gentlemen’s Bet – Devil in the Night, by Mr. Nightlinger
- Overview: This four-year-old gelding recently broke his maiden at Sam Houston with an impressive front-running performance. His sire, Gentlemen’s Bet, was a Grade 1-placed sprinter, and his dam adds speed. The Devil’s Bet is stepping up in class but has potential.
- Chief Brady (TX)
- Jockey: Ernesto Valdez-Jiminez
- Trainer: Steve Roubion
- Pedigree: Bradester – Indian Minnie, by Mr. Nightlinger
- Overview: A six-year-old gelding with stakes experience, Chief Brady has been competitive in allowance company. His sire, Bradester, was a multiple graded stakes winner, and his dam adds turf versatility. Chief Brady will need to step up to contend here.
Race Dynamics
The Spirit of Texas Stakes is shaping up to be a competitive sprint, with several horses boasting strong pedigrees and recent form. Too Much Action and Turn North stand out as top contenders based on their consistency and class. Unbridled Bling and Bling Mountain also bring strong credentials and could pose a threat. The race is likely to favor horses with tactical speed and the ability to handle the fast dirt surface at Sam Houston.
This stakes race promises to deliver thrilling action as these talented Texas-breds vie for the $47,250 winner’s share of the purse.
