Sam Houston: Oak Hall wins with stretch rally

Oak Hall swept past Boots on Sunday in midstretch, then drew clear to a 1 1/2-length win in the $50,000 Sam Houston Sprint Handicap at Sam Houston Race Park in Houston. It was another 10 lengths back in third to even-money favorite Aloha Bold.

Oak Hall ($17.60) raced about 10 lengths off the pace set by Aloha Bold, who ran the opening four furlongs of the seven-furlong race in 45.43 seconds.

Oak Hall began to picked up rivals on the turn, then took the lead en route to running the distance in 1:23.98 over a muddy track.

"He was passing horses like they were tied up," said Curtis Kimes, who rode Oak Hall for trainer Doyle Wardrop.

Oak Hall, who won the $150,000 Louisiana Champions Day Classic at Fair Grounds last month, earned $30,000 for Saturday's win.

Overall, he has won 13 races in 31 starts and earned $371,232 for his owner, Ena Ortego.