Sam Houston

Hotdoggin, a 2-year-old Quarter Horse who established a track record for 350 yards while winning his trial for the $263,438 TQHA Sales Futurity last month at Sam Houston Race Park, is clearly the one to beat in the finale. The 350-yard race drew eight others, including the Heath Taylor-trained entry of Secluded and Allkindacats.

Taylor also trains Hotdoggin, who set the fastest qualifying time for the Sales Futurity when he won his trial by 2 3/4 lengths in a time of 17.36 seconds. The old track record for 350 yards was 17.54 seconds, set by Streakin O Toole in 1997.

Hotdoggin has won two of his four career starts. "His mamma was unbelievably fast," said Taylor, who trains Hotdoggin for Shultz Ranch. "She won the Kansas and Rainbow futurities and probably would have won the All American if she had not been injured."

Jockey Gilbert Ortiz, who qualified all of Taylor's horses, rides Hotdoggin in the finale. Jacky Martin has been named on both Secluded, a 1 1/2-length winner of his trial, and Allkindacats, a 1 3/4-length winner of his trial.