Trainer brothers lead futurity field

No one knows who will first crack the finish line in Saturday’s $483,000 Sam Houston Race Park Futurity.

Yet hours before the 10:20 p.m. race, two almost monopolize the lineup.

The Sanchez brothers — trainers Jose and Angel — will have horses charging from gates 5, 6, 9 and 10 in the 10-horse field.

A Jose Sanchez win would surprise no one. In qualifying races three weeks ago, his Kas Tempting was the speediest of all. Just outside Kas Tempting in gate 6, the 52-year-old trainer, sends out Lj Fastest Time.

“Both horses are on the gentle side,” he said. “Very easy to train. Both improving. I think they will be better Saturday than they were three weeks ago. It will come down to the break. Either one of them can win with a clean break.”

Getting bumped at the start of the 330-yard race can ensure defeat. It’s no surprise when an unseasoned 2-year-old quarter horse bursts from the gate and veers into a rival.

Angel Sanchez’s two runners are less vulnerable to bumping. Capital Ice will break from the outside post — 10. Often, horses out there are taken a stride or two farther out by the jockey to find an unhindered path to the finish line.

In gate 9, Angel, 48, has Nocturnes.

“These two are very smart,” he said. “They take well to the saddle, the bit and rider. To make the futurity final is quite an honor for Jose’s horses and mine. There were more than 150 horses trying to get into this race.”

Jose sends out the fastest qualifier. Angel’s Ivan James and Just Call Me Carter won the last two futurities.

Three times the meet’s leading owner, Pete Scarmardo qualified This Is A Deal Too. Scarmardo believes his entrant will have to win from behind.

“He’s a big, long-legged horse and not as quick as the others,” Scarmardo said. “His best race might be 440 yards, not 330. But I’m optimistic.”

Scarmardo also owns Dash Quick Perry, fastest qualifier for the $197,000 Sam Houston Derby for 3-year-olds. The program, which will start at 6:10 p.m., includes the $48,000 Sam Houston Juvenile.

Traditionally the state’s richest race, the futurity’s value continues to exceed the track’s biggest thoroughbred race, the $400,000 Sam Houston Ladies Classic.

The quarter horse meet continues through May 22.