How bout this cow girl gets tough win as thoroughbred season concludes

With the unhurried efficiency of a filly guided by a jockey who knew the race plan, Howboutthiscowgirl proved to be both the fastest and best-looking runner in the $65,000 Two Altazana Stakes.

On Saturday night’s final program of the Sam Houston Race Park thoroughbred season, the 2-5 favorite was never truly threatened in an easy win.

In the other $65,000 feature race, Direct Dial won the Jim’s Orbit Stakes.

Ridden by Iram Vargas Diego, Direct Dial started sharply and was able to put away Galactica and move on to the win.

“This horse seems to get a little stronger in each race,” he said. “Kind of like a building going up one floor at a time.”

The Steve Asmussen-trained horse has now won three of seven starts.

How bout this cow girl’ s assistant trainer, Hernan Zamudio, said: “We wanted her to break on top, which she did. We wanted her to relax if she got the lead, then stay out of trouble. She did all of that.” Jockey Lindey Wade saw to it. His mount, an elegant-looking, 3-year-old charcoal with a gray-tipped tail, beat Little Prowless from the starting gate. They dashed almost together for more than 100 yards before the winner opened a clear lead.

The next challenge came from Shes Our Fastest, who rallied from third. With about 200 yards left in the 6-furlong sprint, she appeared capable of running down the heavy favorite. That’s when Wade asked his horse for more and got it.

The final margin was two lengths. After fading, Little Prowess rallied to snare third.

“I expected Little Prowless to stay up with us,” Wade said. “Then she settled back, so I didn’t have to try to go around her.”

Given the lead, the winner refused to surrender it.

Zamudio assists trainer Bret Calhoun, who remained at his winter-spring base, New Orleans’ Fair Grounds on Saturday.

“When Bret puts you on one of his horses, it’s ready to go,” Wade said. “He won’t tell you a lot of ‘do this’ or ‘do that.’ He knows his horse is prepared, and he expects you to take charge and ride it.

“Given that responsibility, knowing that he puts so much trust in you, really gives a rider lots of confidence.”

The early program featured two higher-value claiming races. Bullet For Rose won a $20,000 event, and Don’t Call Me Dude scored in a $25,000 race.

Wade and Asmussen won the top jockey and trainer awards. The traditional thoroughbred meet leaders prevailed with about one-third of their runners.

Three horses, Alamo City, Affirming and DaryIslittleengine, each won three times during the 32-day meet.

Sam Houston Race Park’s 20day quarter horse meet opens on March 30.