Stolis Winner Victorious in Grade 1 Texas Classic Derby

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas (Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009) –  Stolis Winner, owned by Jerry Windham and trained by Heath Taylor, won the 17^th running of the Grade 1, $342,431 Texas Classic Derby , for three-year-olds, over a fast track at Lone Star Park on Saturday night. 

             Ridden by G. R. Carter Jr., the bay son of Stoli who has had trouble getting away from the gate in his recent races, broke much better on Saturday night and showed his class in completing the 440-yard assignment in 21.267 for a Speed Index of 103.  Entry mate Jess Zoomin, also trained by Taylor, finished a half-length behind in second, and it was 1 3/4 lengths back to Vrrroom and Eye Follies who finished in a dead-heat for third.

“We felt like we just needed a little luck out of the gate,” said winning trainer Heath Taylor.  “We stood him and schooled him in the gate in the mornings, and we changed his shoes for this race.  When he got away on even terms it was just a phenomenal sigh of relief.  He and Jess Zoomin ran a really pretty race.”

            “He warmed up really, really well.  Heath had him ready tonight,” said winning jockey G. R. Carter Jr.  “He was full of energy and I knew he was going to run well as soon as I got on him in the paddock.  I was confident once he broke well because I know what kind of horse he is down the racetrack.”

            With the win, Stolis Winner improved his record to 11 wins from 15 starts and with the $152,382 winner’s share surpassed the $2 million mark in career earnings to $2,030,637.

Stolis Winner paid $3.20, $3.60 and $2.10, runner-up and entry mate Jess Zoomin also returned $3.20, $3.60 and $2.10, and Vrrroom paid $3.40 and Eyes Follies returned $6.60 for show.  Lake View Dreams, Lethal Delight, Skyline Lover, Fearless Fritz, Mr Queens Mystery, and Zimalue completed the order of finish.

Lone Star Park’s 28-day, 2009 Quarter Horse Fall Meeting of Champions, which began on September 25, concluded on Saturday, November 28.  For more information, visit the track’s Web site at www.lonestarpark.com.

- END -