Lone Star Park opens thoroughbred meet with exciting opening weekend
The thoroughbred season at Lone Star Park kicked off with an exciting weekend of live racing action.
The action started with a bang last Thursday with the Bluebonnet Stakes for Texas-accredited fillies and mares 3 years old and up. The race was set for 6 ½ furlongs on the dirt, and the winner was a familiar name around Texas racing circles. Ima Discreet Lady, a 7-year-old veteran trained by Karl Broberg, chalked up her fifteenth career victory and pushed her career earnings over $650,000. Boerne set the early pace, but in the stretch, Ima Discreet Lady made her move and easily pulled away to claim the winner’s share of the purse. David Cabrera was the winning rider, Uptownblingithoome was second, with Unique Babe finishing third.
The third race was the first of three maiden special weight events on the card. America Forest defeated a five-horse field to graduate for trainer Danny Pish. Charle Oliveros was the winning rider. Iberian Runner took home second, while Valdina Dreams was third.
The combination of trainer Steve Asmussen and jockey Stewart Elliot picked up their first win of the new meet in the fourth race, another maiden special weight. The winner, Campton, is a son of Uncle Mo and picked up the win in his third career start. Look Sharp finished second, with Punctuality in third.
Sir Liam won easily for trainer Jayde Gelner and jockey Floyd Wethey in Race 6, the day’s third maiden special weight event. This horse might be one to watch later in the meet as he strained under his rider’s hold early before being allowed to pull away in the stretch.
In Thursday’s final race, a five furlong sprint on the turf, Jan’s Turn to Win lived up to her name. She pulled a minor upset with Shacked Stateside finishing in second and Missiszippy Bling rounding out the trifecta. Rene Diaz was the winning rider, and J.R. Caldwell picked up the win as the trainer.
The maiden special weight races continued in race three on Friday. Azunia was able to graduate for rider Iram Diego and trainer Carlos Padilla. Olivia’s Race Day came in second, with More Than Shakin finishing in third.
Race 6 was an allowance for Texas-accredited 3-year-olds sprinting 5 furlongs on the turf. Uptowneaglehaslanded held off Will the Thrill to win, with Tapiture Jones finishing third. The winning jockey was Alfredo Contreras, and once again, trainer Carlos Padilla stepped into the winner’s circle.
Wild Express pulled the upset in Race 8, another maiden special weight for 3-year-old fillies traveling seven and a half furlongs on the turf. Floyd Wethey rode another winner, and Terry Eoff was the winning conditioner. Oil N Candy took second, with Tiz a Knockout third.
Moving to Saturday’s action, we start with Race 2, a maiden special weight for Texas accredited 3-year-olds over 6 furlongs on the dirt. Plain Tap Water got a good ride from Ernesto Valdez-Jiminez, stalking the pace early before making a move on the turn to pull away. Dick Cappellucci was the winning trainer. Mr. Valentino and Hyperion North completed the trifecta.
Race 3 was an allowance for fillies and mares sprinting five and a half furlongs on the dirt. Texas Ascot Queen jumped to the lead early and held on to turn back a late challenge from Mariah’s Candy winning by a head. Total Malice was third. Rene Diaz and J.R. Caldwell combined for another win.
Guitar Boy was victorious in Race 5, an allowance optional claimer for Texas-accredited 3-year-olds traveling 1 mile on the dirt. My Boy Bling finished second, and Noise Complaint came in third. The winning rider was Leandro Goncalves, and Ray Ashford the winning trainer.
The sixth race was another allowance optional claimer, this time over 7 ½ furlongs on the turf. Robo set the early pace and held off Parrot Head to win. Optimal Trip was able to finish third. Sofia Barandela was the winning rider, Cesar Govea picked up the win as trainer.
Race 9 closed out the action with another maiden special weight race, this one for Big Wave James pulled the upset to graduate with Whiterose Jewel finishing second and Golden Flash taking third. Anardis Rodriguez rode the winner, and Terry Eoff added another win to his total as the trainer.
Sunday’s second race featured a win by one of the great horse names in the Texas circuit. Theteasergotloose got her first win in a maiden special weight for Texas-accredited 3-year-old fillies going 6 furlongs on the dirt. Rene Diaz rode the winner for trainer Ronnie Cravens. Libbies Baby was second, with Missingyoucrazy third.
Race 3 was an allowance optional claimer for 3-year-olds over 6 furlongs on the dirt. Gunflash, a son of the great Gun Runner, picked up the win for jockey Luis Fuentes and trainer Karl Broberg. U.S. Army was second, and Aaron’s Spirit rounded out the trifecta in third.
Jackman’s Ride pulled another upset in Race 5, a 5 ½ furlong allowance sprint on the dirt. Rene Diaz recorded another win as jockey with J.R. Caldwell added to his total as trainer. Second place went to Seize the Treasure with Tapistar finishing third.
Race 6 was a maiden special weight for fillies and mares 3 years old and up covering 1 mile on the turf. Girl on the Go shocked the bettors, taking the win for trainer Shawn Davis and jockey Jose Alvarez. Mylittlewhiskeygirl finished second, Charming Leah was third.
The last race of the opening weekend was a 7 ½ furlong allowance optional claimer on the turf. Colors of the Wind gave Alvarez another win, this time under the guidance of trainer Bret Calhoun. She’sskysthelimit was second, with Tudela third.
Live racing will resume at Lone Star Park this Friday with an eight-race card. First post is at 6:35 on Friday and then 1:35 on Saturday and Sunday.
