Sam Houston: Challenge Championship spots on line

There are a pair of Challenge Championship berths on the line Saturday night at Sam Houston, with the winners of the Grade 3, $88,740 Texas Juvenile Challenge and $52,920 Texas Derby Challenge trying to secure spots in their divisional finales Oct. 29 at Los Alamitos.

Pandorum, a filly, was the fastest qualifier for the Texas Juvenile Challenge, when she won a 350-yard trial for the race in 17.68 seconds April 29. She rolled home by 2 1/4 lengths and will start as part of a three-horse entry owned by Joe Kirk Fulton and trained by Tooter Jordan. The entry is completed by eight-fastest qualifier Sweet Oblivion and 10th-fastest qualifier Body of Evidence.

“We look for all three to improve,” Jordan said. “The trials were the first starts for each, and all three are paid into the All American Futurity.”

The winner will get a berth into the Grade 2 Racing Challenge Juvenile Championship.

Painted Sable was the fastest qualifier for the Texas Derby Challenge, which offers a berth into the Grade 1, $200,000 Racing Challenge Derby Championship.