Sam Houston: Quiet Acceleration wins Richard King Stakes

Quiet Acceleration gave his trainer, Danny Pish, his first stakes win as a breeder Saturday night, when he rallied to win the $50,000 Richard King at Sam Houston Race Park. He won by a length over Valid Message, while it was another length back to Wild Slew in third.

The Richard King was one of four Texas-bred stakes on the card that helped make up the annual Texas Champions Weekend at Sam Houston. The track opened its meet Friday.

Quiet Acceleration ($12) was content to stalk the pace set by Wild Slew, then overtook that one and went on to cover the 1 1/8 miles on firm turf in 1:52.69. Roman Chapa was aboard for Pish, who, in addition to breeding and training the winner, owns Quiet Acceleration.

“I had a lot of horse under me, that’s for sure,” Chapa said. “The pace was slow, and he just dragged me to the front.”

Pish claimed Quiet Acceleration’s sire, Silent Picture, toward the end of his career because the horse was a half-brother to a stakes winner he trained, Dynameaux. Pish said he claimed Silent Picture for stallion purposes and now stands him in partnership. Quiet Acceleration’s dam, Terrific Speed, also was acquired through the claim box, Pish said.

Quiet Acceleration has won 8 of 27 starts and $168,103.

• In the $50,000 Star of Texas, Texas Air stalked and pounced for a 2 3/4-length win over Safe Range. He covered the mile on a fast track in 1:39.46 and paid $3.80. Dakota Wood rode the winner for Paul Rigali Jr. and trainer Allen Milligan.

• Triumph and Song ($3) wired the field in the Spirit of Texas, rolling to a 2 1/4-length win over Solar Charge. He covered six furlongs in 1:10.06. Junior Chacaltana was aboard for H & H Ranch and trainer Karl Broberg.

• Ace N Jacks ($19.40) led from box to wire in the $50,000 Groovy for 3-year-olds, winning by 4 1/2 lengths over Circustown Flyer. The winner covered six furlongs in 1:11.89. Larry Taylor was aboard for owner and trainer Caroline Dodwell.