Rose Hunter cruises to win in Houston Chronicle Stakes

Rose Hunter was in command throughout for a 5 1/4 length win in the $40,000 Houston Chronicle Stakes on Saturday night at Sam Houston Race Park in Houston.

Pad The Wallet finished second, three lengths clear of third-place finisher Voz De Colegiala. Paz Ciudadana was scratched from the Chronicle, which was the first stakes of the meet at Sam Houston.

Rose Hunter ($6.40 ) broke well and was up by two and a half lengths through an opening quarter in 23.76 seconds in the mile and a sixteenth turf race for fillies and mares. She continued to lead the field through fractions of 47.98 for the half-mile mark and 1:12.28 for six furlongs, then increased her advantage in the stretch, covering the distance over firm turf in 1:43.56.

Lonnie Meche rode the winner for trainer Tony Richey.

Rose Hunter picked up her first stakes win in the Chronicle, and overall has won 4 of 20 starts and $139,085. She is owned by Royce Roberts.