The David E. Hooper Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park is set to take place on February 15, 2025. This race offers a purse of $75,000 and covers a distance of seven furlongs on dirt for Texas Accredited horses, four years old and upward. Here’s a detailed strategic preview of the race:
Race Details:
- Purse: $75,000 (plus $75,000 – TTA – TX Thoroughbred Assoc.)
- Distance: Seven Furlongs (Dirt)
- Eligibility: Texas Accredited Four Year Olds And Upward
- Weight: 123 Lbs
- Entry Fees: No nomination fee. $500 due at time of entry. Starters to pay an additional $500. Supplemental nominations in the amount of $2,000 may be made at time of entry and shall include all fees.
- Purse Distribution: $1,000 to all starters sixth through last. The remaining balance to be distributed: 60% to the winner, 20% to second, 11% to third, 6% to fourth, and 3% to fifth. Any monies in excess of $75,000 will be added to the open purse amount.
- Weight Allowances: Non-winners of a Sweepstakes since August 15, 2024 allowed 3 Lbs. Two races since August 15, 2024 allowed 5 Lbs. A race since August 15, 2024 allowed 7 Lbs. (Maiden, Claiming and Starter races not considered in weight allowances.)
- Starters: Limited to fourteen starters with preference to horses with the highest earnings in 2024-2025 at the time of entry. Horses not drawing a starting position in the gate will receive a refund of the entry fee. A trophy will be presented to the winning owner.
Top Contenders:
- Too Much Action (PP: 4, 3/1)
- Jockey: Chris Landeros
- Trainer: J. R. Caldwell
- Pedigree: Too Much Bling – Quatre Rose (by Candy Ride)
- Recent Form: Defending champion, Too Much Action, has shown consistent performance and is a strong contender. He wrapped his 5-year-old season winning four of his eight starts and worked a nifty 5-furlong bullet here on February 11.
- Gold Pilot (PP: 3, 7/2)
- Jockey: Stewart Elliott
- Trainer: Wayne B. Calhoun
- Pedigree: My Golden Song – Formal Flyer (by Early Flyer)
- Recent Form: Gold Pilot has a record of 29-9-4-6 with earnings of $416,566. He has faced many of these older horses before and could perform well.
- Victory for Vets (PP: 5, 2/1)
- Jockey: Jose L. Alvarez
- Trainer: Wayne B. Calhoun
- Pedigree: Tapiture – Diamondinthestream (by Smart Strike)
- Recent Form: Victory for Vets has shown strong late runs and could be a contender with the right strategy.
- Dust Em (PP: 7, 9/2)
- Jockey: Floyd Wethey Jr.
- Trainer: Karen Jacks
- Pedigree: Too Much Bling – Dixie Dust (by Dixieland Heat)
- Recent Form: Dust Em has shown potential and could perform well with the right trip.
- Team Gormley (PP: 8, 6/1)
- Jockey: Deshawn Parker
- Trainer: Kevin Scholl
- Pedigree: Gormley – Dance Team (by Dynaformer)
- Recent Form: Team Gormley has shown consistent form and could be a contender with the right strategy.
Race Strategy:
- Early Pace: With Too Much Action likely to set the early pace, jockeys will need to position their mounts well to avoid getting caught in traffic.
- Mid-Race Moves: Look for horses like Gold Pilot and Victory for Vets to make their moves around the far turn, looking to capitalize on the pace set by the leaders.
- Late Surge: Dust Em and Team Gormley could be the ones to watch for a late surge, potentially making a strong finish if they can navigate through the field effectively.
