Quiet Acceleration defends title in Richard King

Quiet Acceleration defended his title in the $50,000 Richard King at Sam Houston Race Park on Saturday night, when he got up for a half-length win over Fly the Red Eye. It was another head back in third to the favorite Magna Breeze.

The Richard King, for 4-year-olds and up over 1 1/8 miles on turf, was part of a program that featured four divisional stakes restricted to horses bred in Texas.

Quiet Acceleration ($23.40) raced mid-pack as Special U F O took the field a long way on the lead, doling out fractions of 24.58 seconds for the opening quarter, 49.08 for the half-mile, and 1:13.52 for six furlongs. Magna Breeze took over through a mile in 1:37.96 as Quiet Acceleration mounted a serious stretch bid to cover the distance on firm turf in 1:50.46.

“He came running,” said Roman Chapa, who was aboard for owner-trainer Danny Pish.

Chapa also won the $50,000 Groovy for 3-year-olds with A M Milky Way. The horse was prominent throughout for a 1 1/4-length win over Supermason.

A M Milky Way ($13.20) set fractions of 22.52 for the opening quarter and 45.73 for the half-mile before going on to win the six-furlong race in 1:11.05. Karl Broberg trains A M Milky Way for David Davis.

F J Uncle Vic takes Star of Texas

F J Uncle Vic rallied for a half-length win over Texas Air in the $50,000 Star of Texas. It was another two lengths back in third to Ring Necked.

F J Uncle Vic ($9.20) raced in third as Texas Air was pushed through fractions of 24.64 for the opening quarter, 48.87 for the half-mile, and 1:13.58 for six furlongs. F J Uncle Vic overtook the leader and covered the mile on a fast track in 1:38.98.

Ernesto Valdez-Jiminez rode F J Uncle Vic for trainer Terry Eoff, who co-owns the horse with Johnny B. Evans.

Evans said the horse is named for his late Uncle Vic.

Edplicit in Spirit of Texas

Edplicit drove to a 1 1/2-length win over Wagson in the $50,000 Spirit of Texas. Edplicit ($12.60) tracked Mighty Rhett through fractions of 22.78 for the opening quarter and 46.23 for the half-mile, then overtook that one to cover six furlongs in 1:11.58.

Alfredo Contreras was aboard for owner-trainer Patti Turner.