Six entered for inaugural Houston Ladies Classic

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Houston, TX (Sports Network) - The first ever running of the $400,000 Houston Ladies Classic on Saturday at Sam Houston Race Park has attracted a field of six females. The richest race in Texas history will be conducted at the distance of 1 1/16-miles with a post-time of 10:45 p.m. (ET).

Leading the six entrants is Joyful Victory, winner of the 2011 Fantasy and Honeybee Stakes. The 5-year-old mare, owned by Fox Hill Farms and trained by Larry Jones, will start from the inside post with Rosie Napravnik in the saddle.

In 15 career starts, Joyful Victory has four wins, five seconds and three thirds for $673,079. Last year she won the Tiffany Lass at Fair Grounds followed by a third in the Azeri and seconds in the Gardenia, Zenyatta and Chilukki Stakes. She finished third in the Falls City Handicap at Churchill Downs to close 2012.

Brushed by a Star, trained by Eddie Kenneally, will take on Joyful Victory for a third straight time. The 5-year-old has the post next to her rival and will be ridden by Corey Lanerie.

Owned by Unlimited Equine, Brushed by a Star won the Chilukki and finished second in the Falls City Handicap to Afleeting Lady. The mare begins 2013 with six wins and six seconds in 20 starts for $473,831.

Here is the field for the Ladies Classic in post position order: Joyful Victory, Rosie Napravnik; Brushed by a Star, Corey Lanerie; Summer Applause, Miguel Mena; Sisterly Love, Luis Saez; She's All In, Luis Quinonez and Lookinforchange, Rohan Singh.