Ivan James cruises in Sam Houston Futurity

Ivan James dominated the Grade 2, $621,100 Sam Houston Futurity for Quarter Horses on Saturday night, when he led throughout for a 1 1/4- length win over This Is A Deal. The race was the richest run at Sam Houston.

Ivan James ($3.80) was the 4-5 favorite as the fastest qualifier for the Sam Houston Futurity. He covered 330 yards on a track rated fast in 16.70 seconds. Raul Ramirez Jr. was aboard for trainer Angel Sanchez.

Jorge Meraz owns Ivan James, who earned $248,440.

Ramirez, 33, is the latest family member to win the Sam Houston Futurity. His brother, jockey Saul Ramirez, has won the race twice, in 1994 and 2010, and his cousin, jockey J.R. Ramirez, once, in 2002.

The purse of this year’s Sam Houston Futurity was the largest in the history of the race, which was inaugurated in 1994.

Moonin the Eagle ($3) improved his record to 5 for 6 with his 2 3/4- length romp in the Grade 3, $203,300 Sam Houston Derby for Quarter Horses. He covered 350 yards in 17.30 seconds for trainer Rolando Almanza.