HOUSTON -- My Cousin Matt cruised to a seven-length victory in the $241,500 Great State Challenge Sprint, prompting owner Richard Englander to pronounce the 3-year-old gelding as one of the best sprinters in North America.

	My Cousin Matt returned $8 as third choice in a field of eight.

"With Orientate and Thunderello out, they better start looking out for this guy," said Englander, for whom trainer Scott Lake claimed My Cousin Matt three starts back for $85,000.

My Cousin Matt, a Florida-bred by Matty G, ran several lengths behind a five-pack of front-runners. He began moving closer on the turn, then angled toward the rail for the drive. He easily pulled away to finish six furlongs in 1:09.06 over a fast track and returned $8 as third choice in a field of eight. The Houston track record is 1:08.80.

"People might think I'm foolish for saying this, but he did everything on his own," said winning rider Ramon Dominguez. "What a nice horse."

Dash for Daylight finished second, three-quarters of a length ahead of Deer Run. Day Trader, the 2-1 favorite, faded to fifth.

My Cousin Matt probably will run next in the Sunshine Millions on Jan. 25 at Santa Anita, said Englander.