Tlc Dale, Dutcher avoid nemesis in Sam Houston Classic

Tlc Dale and Dutcher will both shake world champion Jessies First Down when they clash in Saturday night’s Grade 2, $50,000 Sam Houston Classic for Quarter Horses. The runners both hooked Jessies First Down in last month’s Texas Challenge Championship and finished a respective second and third to the top Quarter Horse of 2016.

The Sam Houston Classic is for 3-year-olds and up at 440 yards. Others making up the 10-horse field include Politically Corrupt, winner of the Retama Derby, and Rc Me Leaving You, who won back-to-back stakes last fall at Lone Star Park.

Tlc Dale will break from post 10, one start after being edged by a neck by Jessies First Down in the Texas Challenge Championship on April 22 at Sam Houston. Raul Ramirez Jr. has the mount for trainer Eusevio Huitron.

Dutcher, who drew post 3, finished a length behind Jessies First Down last out, but had a troubled start and ended up closing from last. One start prior, Dutcher won a trial for the Texas Challenge Championship, over Tlc Dale. Rodrigo Vallejo has the mount for Sam Houston leading trainer Judd Kearl.

Kearl also trains Jessies First Down. The horse is being pointed to the Grade 1, $250,000 Remington Park Invitational on June 3, according to a press release from Sam Houston.