Filly soars in Sam Houston maiden

Behrens, a multiple Grade 1 winner who is now a Kentucky-based stallion, has a 2-year-old filly to watch in Texas. The filly, Behrenitall, won a maiden race by 19 3/4 lengths last Saturday night at Sam Houston Race Park.

Behrenitall was making her second start around two turns in the maiden special weight race, and she led throughout for the win.

"The two turns, it fits her breeding very well," said Andrew Konkoly, who trains Behrenitall for her breeder and owner, Ted Britt. "I think she's just learning what it's all about, and she's getting better. I think she's going to turn out to be a real nice filly."

Konkoly said that in the coming year he would like to test Behrenitall in the stakes ranks at Lone Star Park near Dallas. He will be racing there after Sam Houston closes, instead of at his usual base of Thistledown in Ohio. One of the reasons for the circuit switch is Behrenitall.

"We've got some better horses like her, and we're going to give Dallas a try," said Konkoly. "Hopefully there's some Texas-bred stakes races there for her."

Konkoly is having a productive meet at Sam Houston. He ranks fourth in the trainer standings with 10 wins from 69 starts, and his stable's earnings of $100,060 puts him in third place.

Konkoly has 36 horses at the track, and among his best are Shannons Valentine, a sprinter who has placed in six stakes, and Capotiada, who has won two allowances in three starts this meet. Both fillies race for Shrum Racing, a major client for Konkoly with ties to Dallas.

Another top horse in the Konkoly barn is a two-time stakes winner, Herve.

Konkoly, 60, is a native of Detroit. He grew up a fan of racing, and began training in 1992 after careers in banking and restaurant ownership. One of his best horses was multiple stakes winner One to Five, who won 12 career races and $220,861.