Bigger Picture scores repeat win in John B. Connally Turf Cup

Bigger Picture became a millionaire on Sunday when he won the Grade 3, $200,000 John B. Connally Turf Cup for the second year in a row at Sam Houston Race Park. He closed with good energy for a one-length victory over Some in Tieme, while it was another head back to Chicago Style in third.

The Connally was one of six stakes on a card led by the Grade 3, $400,000 Houston Ladies Classic, won by Tiger Moth ($36.60).

Bigger Picture ($3.80) was the most accomplished runner in the 12-horse Connally as a Grade 1 winner, having taken the United Nations at Monmouth last year. The gelding launched his 7-year-old season Sunday and was content to stalk the pace as Roman Approval took the field through fractions of 24.21 seconds for the opening quarter, 49.94 for the half-mile, 1:15.64 for six furlongs, and 1:41.50 for the mile.

Bigger Picture rallied through the stretch to cover the 1 1/2 miles on a course rated “good” in 2:31.13.

“When I asked him to go, he just went really, really well,” said winning rider Jose Ortiz.

“I really love the horse.”

Mike Maker, who trains Bigger Picture for Three Diamonds Farm, was winning the Connally for the sixth time in the last seven years. His previous winners were Papa Bodie in 2012, Admiral Kitten in 2014, Coalport in 2015, and Da Big Hoss in 2016.

Bigger Picture on Sunday was making his first start since the Breeders’ Cup Turf on Nov. 4 at Del Mar, a race in which he finished an uncharacteristic 12th, one start after finishing a close third in the Grade 1 Sword Dancer at Saratoga. He invaded Sam Houston from Gulfstream Park, where he showed a series of forward works for the Connally, a logical place to start him off, said Maker, because the horse had success in the race in 2017.

Bigger Picture earned $120,000 for the win Sunday, his 11th career victory from 29 starts. He has now earned $1,101,135. Bigger Picture is a son of Badge of Silver.

Maker and Ortiz, who won the Eclipse Award as the outstanding jockey of 2017 on Thursday night, also teamed to win the $75,000 Frontier Utilities Turf Sprint with Hogy ($3.20). The horse closed from last for a 2 1/4-length win over American Sailor. Hogy covered five furlongs on good turf in 58.20 seconds.

Hogy, a 9-year-old by Offlee Wild, earned $45,000 for the victory. He has now won 18 of 49 starts for earnings of $1,231,627. Hogy races for Michael Hui.

• Sully’s Dream ($28.20) held off Peru by a length to win the $50,000 Sam Houston Distaff, covering the 1 1/16 miles on turf in 1:45.80. David Cabrera was aboard for trainer John Ortiz. Sully’s Dream races for Ralph Ebert, Patrick Waresk, and Michael Waresk. Sully’s Dream is a daughter of Colonel John.

• Swift Shock paid $90 when he darted to a 2 1/4-length win over favorite Direct Dial in the $50,000 Groovy for 3-year-olds bred in Texas. The winner covered six furlongs in 1:12.54. Lindey Wade was aboard the son of My Golden Song for Doug Scharbauer and trainer Bret Calhoun.

• Red Dress ($23) was a half-length winner over Houboutthiscowgirl in the $50,000 Bara Lass for 3-year-old fillies, covering six furlongs in 1:12.74. Iram Diego was aboard the daughter of Too Much Bling for W.S. Farish and trainer Steve Asmussen.