Fear the Dragon scores in Sam Houston Derby

Fear the Dragon, the fastest qualifier from time trials on April 24, won Friday’s $322,900 Sam Houston Derby at Sam Houston Race Park, a race depleted by the absence of morning-line favorite San Lorenzo.

San Lorenzo, winner of two seven-figure futurities for Louisiana-breds at Delta Downs and Evangeline Downs in 2020, was removed from the Sam Houston backstretch early Friday morning because of a concern over an apparent bout with colic, according to a track spokesperson.

In the nine-runner Sam Houston Derby, Fear the Dragon, ridden by Rodrigo Vallejo, broke from the inside in a field of nine and led throughout the 350 yards, winning by a neck in 17.74 seconds. Fear the Dragon ($3.40) races for Jose Espinoza and trainer Adrian Huitron, who turned 31 on Friday.

Jess a Dashin Angela (17-1) finished second, a neck in front of 37-1 Gianniy.

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Fear the Dragon, a gelding by Favorite Cartel, has won 5 of 11 starts and earned $223,824. The winner’s share of the Sam Houston Derby was worth $133,160.

The Sam Houston Derby was Fear the Dragon’s first stakes win. In 2020, Fear the Dragon qualified for three futurities, with his best result a second in the $137,000 Speedhorse Futurity at Fair Meadows Tulsa in July.