Sam Houston: Red Rifle sets track record in Maxxam Gold Cup

Trainer Todd Pletcher made a splash with his first starter at Sam Houston Race Park on Saturday night, sending out Red Rifle to a track-record-setting performance in the $100,000 Maxxam Gold Cup, one of three stakes on the card.

Red Rifle ($4) led throughout to cover the 1 1/8 miles on a fast track in 1:48.73, eclipsing the old track record for the distance of 1:48.75 set by Lost Soldier in the 1997 Maxxam Gold Cup.

Robby Albarado was aboard Red Rifle, who gave the jockey his fourth win in the Maxxam.

“He broke in a little bit of a tangle, but I had simple instructions to get him to the lead, as he does not like dirt in his face,” Albarado told publicity officials at Sam Houston. “He got to the first turn within himself, settled, and came home really nicely. This is a great steppingstone race for the rest of the year.”

Red Rifle, who set fractions of 23.82 seconds for the opening quarter, 48.02 for the half-mile, and 1:12.25 for six furlongs, won by 2 3/4 lengths over Frac Daddy. It was another six lengths back to Texas Air in third place.

Red Rifle races for the partnership of WinStar Farm and Twin Creeks Racing Stables. He is a 4-year-old son of Giant’s Causeway.

• Always Kitten ($4.80) was up for a neck win over Every Way in the $50,000 Jersey Lilly. She covered the 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:45.57. Rosie Napravnik was aboard for Ken and Sarah Ramsey and trainer Mike Maker. The Ramseys also bred Always Kitten, a 4-year-old daughter of Kitten’s Joy.

• Ibaka ($4.80) won his second straight stakes race in the $50,000 Texas Heritage for 3-year-olds, wiring the field for a three-length win over Sea View Chico. He covered the mile in 1:37.70. Lindey Wade was aboard for Doug Wall and trainer Bret Calhoun. Ibaka is a son of Uncle Abbie bred in Oklahoma by Wall. Earlier in the meet, Ibaka won a division of the Texas Stallion Stakes.