Diamond Tres Seis heads Texas championship

The Grade 1, $107,550 Texas Challenge Championship is one of five Quarter Horse stakes to be run Saturday afternoon at Sam Houston Race Park in Houston.

Diamond Tres Seis, who won his trial for the race by a nose, could go favored for trainer Heath Taylor. Diamond Tres Seis is a multiple graded winner at the Texas Challenge Championship distance of 440 yards, among his victories the Grade 1 Refrigerator Handicap last October at Lone Star Park. He also won the Grade 2 Sam Houston Classic at the distance during the Sam Houston meet in 2008. Gilbert Ortiz has the mount on Diamond Tres Seis.

Also on the card is the Grade 3, $58,410 Texas Derby Challenge at 400 yards. It drew Jodys Money Pop, the winner of last year's Grade 1 Texas Quarter Horse Association Sales Futurity at Sam Houston. The $57,060 Juvenile Texas Challenge for 2-year-olds on Saturday will be led by fastest qualifier Red Heels.