HOUSTON -- Horatio Karamanos could wait no longer. Leaving the half-mile pole, Karamanos, riding La Reine's Terms, dared to go eyeball-to-eyeball alongside heavily favored Forbidden Apple in the $262,000 Great State Challenge Turf, something that normally would spell defeat for most horses.

But La Reine's Terms was more than equal to the task. He pulled away to win the Turf by a half-length over late-running Mystery Giver, while Forbidden Apple, a $1.6 million earner and the 1-2 favorite, faded to third in the 1 1/8-mile race Saturday at Sam Houston Race Park.

"I thought that was a really gutsy race by Horatio," said trainer Larry Murray, who often employs Karamanos on their home circuit of Maryland. "This horse has had a great year."

La Reine's Terms, a Maryland-bred by Private Terms, returned $16.80 as third choice after finishing in 1:51.61 over a firm turf course. A 7-year-old horse owned by Howard and Sondra Bender, La Reine's Terms has won 5 of 6 starts this year and 14 of 35 overall.

After Purple Sand led Forbidden Apple through the first five furlongs, Karamanos and La Reine's Terms suddenly rushed up from the outside. Forbidden Apple remained with him on the lead for about a dozen strides, but La Reine's Terms kept going, pulling off to an open lead in midstretch before holding off Mystery Giver, a 15-1 shot.

Forbidden Apple, ridden by Corey Nakatani, was another 1 1/2 lengths back in a field of nine older horses.