Sam Houston Quarter Horse meet opens Wednesday

Sam Houston will launch a 20-date meet for Quarter Horses on Wednesday. The dates were transferred to the Houston track from Retama Park near San Antonio.

Retama is undergoing repairs from a winter ice storm in February.

Sam Houston will race through Aug. 7.

The TQHA Sale Futurity and Retama Park Derby, which are both $100,000-added races – will share a card July 31. The Texas Summer Showdown program of six stakes for Texas-breds is July 30.

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◗ Renika will break from the rail for the first time in her career Sunday, when she starts as one of the top choices in the $280,371 Mountain Top Quarter Horse Futurity at Ruidoso Downs. The race will be run over 350 yards and it is for 2-year-olds bred in New Mexico.

Renika set the second fastest qualifying time for the Mountain Top when she won her 350-yard trial in 17.90 seconds June 4 at Ruidoso. Mr Innovator, who breaks from post 9, ran the same distance in 17.85 seconds. He is now 2 for 2, having won a maiden special weight March 24 at Remington Park.

◗ New Eagle brings the best last-race Beyer Speed Figure, an 80, into the featured sixth race Sunday at Louisiana Downs.