Sandy's Surprise invades for Houston Ladies Classic

Sandy’s Surprise will be out to rack up a second stakes win in the Southwest when she invades for the Grade 3, $400,000 Houston Ladies Classic on Sunday at Sam Houston Race Park. The Southern California-based runner shipped to New Mexico last November to win the $300,000 Zia Park Oaks, and following that race, her connections targeted the Houston Ladies Classic, the richest Thoroughbred race in Texas.

“This was the original plan after we were fortunate in her previous out-of-town race,” trainer Doug O’Neill said. “We think we’ve got her right on target to run a big race.”

Sandy’s Surprise dominated the Zia Park Oaks, winning by 4 3/4 lengths under Mario Gutierrez, who has the mount Sunday. Sandy’s Surprise was part of an eight-horse field drawn for the Houston Ladies Classic, a 1 1/16-mile race, on Wednesday. She will break from post 6.

The field, from the rail with riders, is: Ready to Confess, David Cabrera; Martini Glass, Paco Lopez; Promise of Spring, Robby Albarado; Valadorna, Brian Hernandez Jr.; Adore, Iram Diego; Sandy’s Surprise, Gutierrez; Actress, Jose Ortiz; and Tiger Moth, Florent Geroux.

Sam Houston on Sunday also will run the Grade 3, $200,000 Connally Turf Cup at 1 1/2 miles on grass, and the race drew 12, including defending winner Bigger Picture. Ortiz has the mount for trainer Mike Maker.

First post for the lone Sunday card of the meet is 12:10 p.m. Central.

Sandy’s Surprise, who was to fly in Wednesday, is a half-sister to Mourinho, who also has shipped from Southern California to the Southwest and won the $150,000 Smarty Jones on Jan. 15 at Oaklawn Park.