Quarter Horse trials Friday and Saturday at Sam Houston, Remington

The best part about the Sam Houston Futurity time trials on Friday and Saturday is that they are being held at all.

Last year, the Houston track did not run a Quarter Horse meeting because of the coronavirus pandemic. This spring’s meeting is highlighted by the Sam Houston Futurity at 330 yards on May 28. The horses with the five fastest qualifying times from 22 trials on Friday and Saturday, regardless of finishing positions, will advance to the final, which has an estimated record purse of $700,000.

A majority of the 104 entrants on Friday are first-time starters. There are four winners, notably Hock It to You, who won a division of the Oklahoma Futurity trials by 2 1/4 lengths at Remington Park and was second by a neck in the $477,200 final on March 20.

Hock It to You starts in the 11th and final division and will race for the first time for leading trainer Juan Diaz Jr. Earlier on the program, Betterton, fifth in the $302,010 Harrah’s Entertainment Futurity at Louisiana Downs on April 3, will have his debut for Diaz.

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The first-time starter Queen On Eagle Cr will attract considerable support in the fourth race, the third of 11 Friday trials. Trained by Roberto Madrigal, Queen On Eagle Cr worked 250 yards from the gate in 13.65 seconds at Retama Park on March 30, the fastest of 70 times at the distance that day.

Remington: Heritage Place Futurity trials start Friday

The first of two programs of time trials for the Heritage Place Futurity at Remington Park will be run on Friday, with the five fastest qualifiers advancing to the final on May 29.

The Remington Park Quarter Horse meeting began on March 7, which has allowed many trial entrants to gain some race experience in the last two months.

There are 12 trials on Friday, with notable runners throughout the program.

Trainer Clinton Crawford, who had four wins on Sunday, runs the promising first-time starter Benjamin Moore, by PYC Paint Your Wagon, in the fifth race, and the maiden race winner Sassalitical in the 10th race.

The final trial includes Revenant Dynasty, who was fifth in the Oklahoma Futurity, and Reimagine, who was sixth in the $926,500 Remington Park Oklahoma-Bred Futurity on April 17.

Reimagine earned $46,325 in that race, but could eventually gain more purse money. Race winner San Lorenzo Tay tested positive for the banned medication clenbuterol in late April, leading to the immediate suspension of trainer Kelly Hertzel by Remington Park stewards

There is a possibility San Lorenzo Tay could be disqualified, pending a hearing, which would result in a purse redistribution. San Lorenzo Tay is not entered in the Heritage Place Futurity trials.