Feb 14, 2016
Our IdaBet.com players sure enjoyed the stakes action on Saturday night that included three features with two upsets in the $50,000 Houston Distaff and $50,000 Houston Turf and impressive finish in the $50,000 Sam Houston Sprint Cup. Some of our IdaBet.com horseplayers were able to take advantage of some large payoffs. Congratulations!
Expect Royalty Pulls the Upset in the $50,000 Houston Distaff
Seneca Destiny, winner of the 2016 San Jacinto Stakes on January 22 at Sam Houston Race Park, was sent off as the betting choice in tonight’s first feature, the $50,000 Houston Distaff. However, it was the winner of the 2015 San Jacinto, Expect Royalty, who came flying in the final furlong of the mile and one-sixteenth turf feature, to score the upset.
Trained by Leroy Pollok, and owned by his wife, Loyana, the 6-year-old daughter of Valid Expectations ran fifth to Seneca Destiny last month. But with regular rider, Iram Vargas Diego aboard, she returned her stakes-winning form this evening. Molly’s Honor set the early pace under jockey Lindey Wade, covering the first quarter in :25.20 and the half-mile in :50.11. A trio of runners got into gear and made the late bid, with Expect Royalty winning by a nose over Whiskey Eyes. The final time, over the firm Connally turf course, was 1.44.19.
“She’d been off five months and needed that last race,” said Pollok. “I thought she could do it and tonight she proved she’s back. Iram gave her a great ride; we are blessed to have him. It didn’t look like he had much room, but he spotted a little hole and got through.”
Diego won four races on the card this evening and is engaged in a contentious battle with David...



