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Kearl might be ready to end Van Bebber reign
With stable full of talented horses, trainer eyes title at Sam Houston
By RICHARD DEAN
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle
Since Sam Houston Race Park opened in 1994, either Janet Van Bebber or her late husband Steve have been the leading trainer at each quarter-horse meeting.
Judd Kearl is a legitimate threat to end the Van Bebber dominance at Sam Houston, which began its 38-day meet last week.
Kearl, who went solo as a trainer four years ago, has expanded his racing operation in Houston and is in charge of some talented runners.
"We have better horses than last year," Kearl said. "Last year, we had no futurity-type horses. Now, I've got some good babies and a lot of older horses. We're going to make a run at them."
Kearl, who has 32 stalls at Sam Houston, has horses in all seven trials in the $111,640 TQHA Sires' Cup Futurity and two in the first leg of the Hot Summer Nights Starter Series, both Friday at Sam Houston.
Kearl also trains Streak Foe Me, who has won six races in a row and will return to Sam Houston on July 8 as the No. 2 qualifier for the final of the Professional's Choice Texas Claiming Challenge.
Streak Foe Me will be ridden by James Brooks, who is Kearl's first-call rider. Streak Foe Me, a 4-year-old filly, has won eight of 17 lifetime starts.
"She's done everything we've asked of her," Kearl said. "A sound, honest mare who doesn't make mistakes. Winning six in a row is tough, whether you're a $5,000 horse or a good horse."
Streak Foe Me might have been going for a ninth consecutive victory on July 8, except for a fourth-place finish at Lone Star Park last October, when Brooks did not ride because of illness.
Brooks has blossomed as a quarter-horse rider, winning the riding title last year at Sam Houston.
"Last year was the first time (Brooks) really stayed at Sam Houston," Kearl said. "He used to just mainly come in for the weekends and ride. Last year, he got serious."
Five days of racing
Not only are officials at Sam Houston Race Park bracing for what traditionally is its biggest crowd of the year, but the track will have five consecutive days of live quarter-horse racing, starting Friday.
The Fourth of July program will conclude the streak, with a fireworks display. Post time on July 4 is 5 p.m. Post time Friday and Saturday is 6 p.m.; Sunday and Monday is 1:30 p.m.
Vallejo's the one
It looks like Rodrigo Vallejo is the right rider for Sheza Dashing Disco, the fastest qualifier for the July 8 Bayer Legend Texas Derby Challenge at Sam Houston Race Park.
As a 2-year-old last year, Sheza Dashing Disco had three different riders in three races and won only once. This year, Vallejo has been on Sheza Dashing Disco four times, winning three times.
"He's a very underrated rider," said Benny Pennington, who trains Sheza Dashing Disco. "She relaxes when he's on her. He really fits her."
Odds and ends
2003 Kentucky Derby winner Funny Cide makes his first appearance in Canada in Saturday's Dominion Day at Woodbine in Toronto. ... Bandini, winner of the Skip Away Handicap in April, is out of Saturday's Suburban Handicap at Belmont Park with an injury to the right front leg. |
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