Recharge ($86.80) gives Asmussen sixth Houston Ladies Classic triumph

Trainers Steve Asmussen and Mike Maker have dominated the two marquee races of the Sam Houston Race Park meet through the years and that was the case again Saturday when Recharge gave Asmussen his sixth win in the Grade 3, $300,000 Houston Ladies Classic and Sugoi provided Maker with his ninth win in the $200,000 John B. Connally Turf Cup.

The races were among five stakes making up the annual Houston Racing Festival.

Recharge ($86.80) remained perfect over the Sam Houston main track with her neck win over 3-5 favorite Alpine Princess. It was another half-length back in third to Hoosier Philly.

Recharge set the pace under pressure from Hoosier Philly, racing through fractions of 24.89 for the opening quarter, 49.22 for the half-mile and 1:13.20 for six furlongs. The eventual winner put up a fight as Alpine Princess came rolling down the center of the track. Recharge held on while covering the 1 1/16 miles distance in 1:45.53.

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Recharge, who won last year’s Sunland Park Oaks, is a homebred daughter of Gun Runner for Winchell Thoroughbreds. She was ridden by Ben Curtis.

Asmussen’s past winners in the race were Bellamore in 2024, Pauline’s Pearl in 2022 and 2021, Lady Apple in 2020 and Midnight Bisou in 2019.

Sugoi ($7.60) fought for a nose win over Verstappen in the Connally. It was another 3 3/4 lengths back in third to Ole Crazy Bones. Sugoi was always prominent, tracking Out of Deductions through fractions of 24.37 for the opening quarter, 50.11 for the half-mile, 1:16.87 for six furlongs and 1:43.08 for the mile. Sugoi took the lead from there and went on to cover the 1 1/2 miles on firm turf in 2:33.05.

Stewart Elliot was aboard the son of Karakontie for Paradise Farms and David Staudacher.

Maker’s other Connally Cup winners are Papaw Bodie in 2012; Admiral Kitten, 2014; Coalport, 2015; Da Big Hoss, 2016; Bigger Picture from 2017-2019 and Dynadrive in 2024..

Chasing Liberty ($2.80) was always prominent for a 2 3/4-length win over Curahee in the $100,000 Bob Bork Texas Turf Mile. The winner covered the distance for 3-year-olds in 1:38.96.

Manny Franco rode the son of Constitution for his breeder, Twin Creeks Racing Stable and trainer Rob Atras.

Modo ($4.80) was a 4 1/2-length winner over Glee in the $75,000 Bara Lass.

Tizabling ($14.60) was a 1 1/2-length winner of the $75,000 Groovy.

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