San Lorenzo has post-position edge in Sam Houston Derby

San Lorenzo was the star 2-year-old Quarter Horse in Louisiana last year, winning the $1,025,782 Lee Berwick Futurity at Delta Downs in July and the $1 million Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association Million Futurity at Evangeline Downs in December.

The races were for statebreds, and appropriate goals on a circuit with enhanced purses because of slot machines.

This spring, San Lorenzo has been sent west on Interstate-10, to Sam Houston Race Park, where he starts in Friday’s $322,900 Sam Houston Derby at 350 yards. San Lorenzo was the second-fastest qualifier from time trials on April 24, and may have an edge from post 5 over fastest qualifier Fear the Dragon, who drew the rail.

Through Saturday, the most recent day of racing at Sam Houston, there had been no winners from the rail in 14 races at 350 yards since opening day of the current season on April 23.

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Jockey Raul Ramirez Jr. takes the mount on San Lorenzo, replacing David Alvarez, who said on Wednesday that he is recovering from a recent injury and hopes to return to riding in coming weeks.

San Lorenzo is unbeaten in three races at 350 yards, including the Berwick Futurity. A colt by Coronas Leaving You, San Lorenzo is racing against open company in the Sam Houston Derby in an effort to enhance his status as a potential stallion, owner Rogelio Marquez Jr. said in April.

San Lorenzo has been Marquez’s leading runner in the last year, but the stable has been the subject of controversy this spring. San Lorenzo Tay, a 2-year-old gelding, won the $926,500 Remington Park Oklahoma-Bred Futurity for Marquez and trainer Kelly Heltzel on April 17, but later tested positive for clenbuterol, according to the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission.

Heltzel was summarily suspended in late April by Remington Park stewards. The purse of the Oklahoma-Bred Futurity could be redistributed, pending a second lab test and a hearing.

San Lorenzo is expected to be a strong favorite in the Sam Houston Derby over Fear the Dragon, who was winless in three futurities last year, including a second in the $137,000 Speedhorse Futurity at Fair Meadows Tulsa in July.

Fear the Dragon won a division of the Sam Houston Derby trials from a favorable outside post. A gelding, Fear the Dragon is one of four finalists in a field of 10 in the Sam Houston Derby trained by Adrian Huitron, who also starts the longshots OJD Chavela J, Special Marisposa and Jesslightninglegs.

There are five stakes on a 10-race program at Sam Houston on Friday, with a first post time of 6:45 p.m. Central. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

The other four stakes range in distances from a ridiculously short 110 yards to more suitable races at 350 to 870 yards.

In the $55,500 Sam Houston Stakes for older horses at 350 yards, Inaugurator, third in the $1,078,098 All American Derby at Ruidoso Downs last September, will have his 2021 debut against a field that includes Mpshinning, the winner of the LQHBA Million Futurity at Evangeline Downs in December 2018.