Sam Houston: Patty's Pride looks to reap lion's share of Tomball purse

Patty’s Pride has won stakes in Oklahoma and Louisiana and on Saturday night will attempt to nab her first stakes in her home state of Texas in the $50,000 Tomball at Sam Houston Race Park. She is one of nine set to start in the 1 1/16-mile turf race restricted to fillies and mares bred in Texas.

Patty’s Pride won the first stakes race of her career at Evangeline Downs in Opelousas, La., in the $50,000 Matron in July 2012. Her other stakes win came at Remington Park in Oklahoma City in the $50,000 Ricks Memorial in August 2012.

Patty’s Pride comes into the Tomball off back-to-back stakes placings, having run third in the $50,000 Fiesta Mile at Retama Park on Dec. 8, and second in the $50,000 San Jacinto at Sam Houston on Jan. 18. She has a strong closing kick and might get a decent pace setup in the Tomball courtesy of front-runners Perfect Meadow, Sera’s Tunnel, and Smiles Golden Song.

Glen Murphy has the mount on the Karl Broberg-trained Patty’s Pride, who is nearing career earnings of $250,000.

Others set to start include Vilao, who won the San Jacinto over Patty’s Pride.

◗ There will be wiener dog races between the races Saturday.

◗ Sam Houston has moved first post for Saturdays from 6 p.m. Central to 6:30 p.m.