Sparkling debut makes Kas Tempting horse to beat in Sam Houston Futurity

Kas Tempting might be tough to contain if he runs back to his career debut in Saturday night’s Grade 2, $483,600 Sam Houston Futurity for Quarter Horses. He was a 2 1/2-length winner while setting the fastest qualifying time for the finale after two nights of trials.

The Sam Houston Futurity is the richest race of the Quarter Horse meet and shares a program with the Grade 3, $197,700 Sam Houston Derby and the $48,360 Sam Houston Juvenile. First post for the biggest card of the season is 6:10 p.m. Central.

Kas Tempting launched his career in stunning fashion April 7, breaking on top and increasing his advantage at each point of call during the first night of trials for the Sam Houston Futurity. Kas Tempting covered 330 yards in 16.73 seconds, delivering at 4-5 odds.

“With each work, [he] seems to be learning and doing better,” trainer Jose Sanchez told the publicity department at Sam Houston.

Manuel Gutierrez has the mount from post 5 for owners Francisco Javier Garza and Roberto Laurel. Luis Vivanco, who was aboard Kas Tempting in the trial, will team with Lj Fastest Time for the finale, a horse owned by his wife, Elizabeth Vivanco, and also trained by Sanchez.

Other top contenders in the 10-horse Sam Houston Futurity include This Is an Eagle, a three-length debut winner in his trial April 8, covering the distance in 16.75 seconds. He is trained by Leon Bard, as is finalist This Is a Deal Too, with both horses sharing the same dam, Lady Lilia. This Is an Eagle is by One Famous Eagle, and This Is a Deal Too is by Dealagame.

The Sam Houston Derby field is led by Dash Quick Perry, who set the fastest qualifying time for the 350-yard finale when he won one of eight trials in 17.35 seconds on April 14. Francisco Calderon has the mount from post 10 for Pete Scarmardo and Bard.

◗ Delta Downs in Vinton, La., will put on 12 trial races on Saturday night to determine the field for the Laddie Futurity for Quarter Horses.