Lone Star Futurities 2007 - Top Honors For Cool Sand Luke & Abra Caadabra
12/14/2007

December 14, 2007 - SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK - The Texas Arabian Futurity provided racing fans with plenty of excitement as Cool Sand Luke ($3.60), owned by Scott Powell, took first place in the $22,950 stakes race and in the process, set a new track record with a winning time of 1:17:88. The previous course record was 1:18:13. The 3-year old colt, ridden by Ramon Guce, pulled ahead in the final stretch to beat out Faraac and Case Dismissed.

“This is just what the owner wants, a new track record,” jockey Ramon Guce said. “Things just fell into place from out of the gate and we managed to bring it home.”

When asked about a strategy to win in tonight’s race, trainer Jerry Partin said, “I have to give credit to Ramon, he knows as much, if not more, than I do about the horse as he is the one who rides him. We are pleased with the outcome and are proud of both of them for this exciting win and a new record.”

The six furlong race featured a total of 11 colts and geldings. Cool Sand Luke has earned $42,066 this year, putting him in the top two leading 3 year old colts/geldings in the nation. Cool Sand Luke is by Burning Sand, out of Amelia CS by Aneto.

The final Texas Arabian Futurity stakes race of the night saw favored filly Abra Caadabra ($8.40) cross the finish line ahead of DC Willful Spirit and Tri Spring Proof with a time of 1:19:96. The 3-year old, owned by David S. Nall and trained by Jerry Partin, claimed a purse of $21,600 against a field of 11 fillies.

“I had to kind of get after her as she doesn’t have a lot of kick and I didn’t want her to get behind and not be able to get the acceleration she needed to win,” said jockey Joy Marie Scott. “In the end, we were burning sand!”

Jerry Partin, an 80 year old veteran trainer of Arabian racehorses, remarked that his advice for all his jockeys was “just to hurry back,” which proved to be a winning recipe for his horses and riders.

Abra Caadabra is a grey filly by Burning Sand out of the mare Caarabine CS by Aneto. This race brought her earnings to $34,802, knocking on the door for a Darley award as 3 year old filly of the year.

Contact: Gina Rotolo, Sam Houston Race Park 281-807-8771 or grotolo@shrp.com