FIRST SAMURAI’s Jolly Samurai won his first stakes of the year and third of his career when he won the Texas Thoroughbred Association Derby on Saturday at Sam Houston.
Returning to his home state, Jolly Samurai went off as the favorite in the one-mile dirt race and was happy to let others get the attention early in the race. The 3-year-old raced about five lengths off the leader with jockey Rene Diaz moving him to an outside path down the backstretch.
That move allowed Jolly Samurai to have clear ground in the turn, giving him the opportunity to make his move. He used the final furlong to cut through the final slim margin he had left until he was in front and had his neck in front when they hit the line.
It was the fourth win in seven starts for the Danny Pish-trained runner owned by Jake Brown. Bred by David Cobb out of the Paddy O’Prado mare Jolly Good, Jolly Samurai has won $189,696 in earnings.
Jolly Samurai is one of three winners out of the winning mare, who is a half-sister to Grade 3 winner and multiple Grade 2 placed Change Up. That mare has produced three stakes performers among her many winners as well.
FIRST SAMURAI is the sire of 38 stakes winners and 80 stakes performers for more than $62 million with his runners averaging $90,109 in earnings – more than 18 times his stud fee.