Fastest qualifiers win at Sam Houston

It was a good night to be the fastest qualifier in a major Quarter Horse stakes at Sam Houston Race Park.

The track put on both the Grade 1, $376,700 Sam Houston Futurity and Grade 2, $113,250 Sam Houston Derby on Friday night, and the fastest qualifier for each of the races returned to win the finale. Sixes Liaison withstood a claim of foul to remain perfect in three starts in the futurity, while Acorn cruised in a powerful derby win. The futurity is the annual centerpiece of the meet at Sam Houston.

Sixes Liaison ($5.40) broke in at the start of the futurity, then picked up speed over the course of the 350-yard race to cover the distance on a sloppy track in a quick 17.55 seconds. Following the race, Erika Huitron, the trainer of Awe Contraire, who broke from the starting gate stall just inside of Sixes Liaison, claimed foul against the winner for interference at the start. After a lengthy inquiry, the objection was not allowed by stewards. Sixes Liaison earned $138,680 for his win in the Sam Houston Futurity.

Saul Ramirez Jr. was aboard for Ted G. Abrams and trainer Bobby Martinez. Sixes Liaison is a son of Sixes Royal and he was bred in Texas by Abrams.

Acorn ($4.80) picked up his first stakes win when he breezed down the middle of the track for a three-quarter-length win over Azoomin With Jessie. James N. Brooks was aboard for Rose M. Chandler and trainer Janet VanBebber.