Allowance draws Scrappy Roo

Scrappy Roo, who won the 2008 running of the Grade 3, $200,000 Connally Turf Cup at Sam Houston, will attempt to improve his record over the local turf course to 6 for 7 in a one-mile turf allowance Thursday night. His lone loss on Sam Houston's turf came in his last start, when he missed by a neck in the $50,000 Richard King on Dec. 5. Junior Chacaltana has the mount for trainer John Locke. Gold Wonder, a stakes winner, and Ablaze with Spirit, who was second last out in the $100,000 Star of Texas, are also contenders.

In celebration of the New Year, there will be a fireworks display at midnight at Sam Houston.

* Michael Joe, the pony who brought Gio Ponti back to the winner's circle following this year's Arlington Million, is now working at Sam Houston. He is being used to pony horses to post by Christie Love. Love's older brother, Pete, was an outrider during the Arlington meet and Michael Joe was among his on-the-job ponies. Pete is now an outrider at Gulfstream. Alan Love, the father of Pete and Christie, is a trainer based at Sam Houston.