Take Charge Lady is the marquee attraction, but seven Maryland-bred thoroughbreds have charged into Texas hoping to snag some of the $1.65 million up for grabs in the inaugural Great State Challenge today at Sam Houston Race Park in Houston.

The Maryland contingent was reduced from eight when Hunka Hunka Lori Z remained stranded at Laurel Park because of Thursday's snowstorm. The Ben Feliciano Jr.-trainee would have faced Take Charge Lady in the Distaff, a monumental task considering that "Hunka" recently won a $50,000 stakes in Maryland and "Lady" is a two-time Grade I winner.

Modeled after the Breeders' Cup, the Great State Challenge features six races, each offering purses up to $275,000. The 49 horses entered represent the breeding programs of 10 states. The state with the top-performing horses will be crowned Great State Challenge Champion.

Maryland's Deer Run, second in the Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash, may have the best chance as a late-speed specialist in the speed-laden Sprint. Mario Pino, the Maryland jockey, will ride the Chris Grove-trainee. Ramon Dominguez and Horatio Karamanos, two other top Maryland jockeys, will also ride in Houston.

"This is a great idea, and I'm looking forward to representing Maryland," Pino said. "It could be a day to remember."

Other Maryland-breds running are Perfect Blue in the Juvenile Fillies, Bridge Out Again and Cherokee's Boy in the Juvenile, Le Reine's Terms and Purple Sand in the Turf, and Pickupspeed in the Classic. The races will be shown live on TVG and on tape at 6 p.m. tomorrow on ESPN2.