BAYER LEGEND TEXAS DERBY FINAL

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SNOWY ALIBI FIGURES IN BAYER TEXAS CHALLENGE

July 11, 2007 – D.D. Lightsey’s Snowy Alibi looks like he is returning for his sophomore campaign in the same stellar form that earned him more than $300,000 when he meets A Special Stoli in the $67,680 Bayer Legend Texas Derby Challenge (G3) at Sam Houston Race Park on Saturday night.

The Janet VanBebber-trained Snowy Alibi (This Snow Is Royal-Ladys First Alibi by First Down Dash) won five of eight starts last year and returned from a nearly 8-month layoff to win his Bayer Legend Texas Derby Challenge trial by an easy 2 lengths as the 4-5 favorite. His time of :20.224 for 400 yards was the third quickest time from three trials.

Topping the qualifiers was Javier Marquez’s A Special Stoli (Stoli-Special Lady Ryon by Ronas Ryon), who raced to a :20.036 time. The gelding from the Alex Villarreal stable is enjoying an exceptional 2007 campaign with four wins from six starts. He won the Longhorn Derby (G2) at 40-1 odds and his Bayer Legend Texas Derby Challenge trial by a length in :20.036.

This little gelding closed so well - it was amazing to watch him!!!

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FAVE TAKES BAYER DERBY AT SAM HOUSTON

July 16, 2007 – A sharp break from post 9 helped third-fastest qualifier and 4-5 choice Snowy Alibi post a neck victory in the 400-yard, $67,680 Bayer Legend Texas Derby Challenge (G3). Roy Baldillez rode the gelding by This Snow Is Royal for owner D.D. Lightsey of Caldwell, Texas, and trainer Janet Van Bebber.

Covering the distance under showery skies in :19.913, Snowy Alibi earned a season-best 98 speed index, and his winning margin was a neck from fastest qualifier A Special Stoli.


“The rain didn’t affect his race, as the surface here is wonderful,” said Van Bebber. “My one direction to Roy was to keep him relaxed. I know Roy has ridden for a number of years and is known for his patience.


“Next up will be the (Grade 2) Sam Houston Derby trials, followed by the (Grade 1) Texas Classic Derby,” added the trainer. “Plus, he gets a ticket to California.”


Snowy Alibi was bred by Narciso Flores of Houston. The gelding is one of 30 stakes winners from six crops sired by This Snow Is Royal, the sport’s champion 2-year-old colt in 1997. His dam, Ladys First Alibi, is a winning daughter of Sir Alibi who has produced two winners from three starters, including the Grade 3-placed Strawfly Special gelding Ali The Great.


An earner of $353,610 from seven wins in 10 starts, Snowy Alibi has won three stakes, including last year’s Sam Houston (G1) and TQHA Sale (RG1) futurities. The gelding concluded his 2-year-old campaign with a third-place run in the $300,000 Southwest Juvenile Championship at Zia Park in New Mexico.


Check On Chico, Leader Bored, My Angels Cash Money, Bella Special Leader, Jess A Little Smart, Echoes Of Angels and First Signing completed the order of finish...