Lone Star Park opens thoroughbred season

Live thoroughbred racing is returning to the Metroplex. Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie will open the season this Thursday with a nine-race card that will include stakes action. The opening weekend festivities will continue through Sunday.

The first race of the season will be the Bluebonnet Stakes for Texas-accredited fillies and mares sprinting six and a half furlongs on the dirt. Eight horses are entered to compete for the winner’s share of the $75,000 purse. Favoritism should fall between Lady Ave, drawn in the third position, and Ima Discreet Lady on the outside. These two battled in the Yellow Rose Stakes at Sam Houston on March 25. That day the veteran Ima Discreet Lady got the better of the matchup, but Lady Ave has the ability to turn the tables. Izatiz, a daughter of My Golden Song trained by David Gomez, could be a factor at a bigger price.

After a maiden claimer in the second race, Race 3 is a maiden special weight for Texas-accredited horses 3 years old and up traveling six furlongs on the dirt. American Forest, a son of Star Guitar, should be the favorite here. He was second in his last start and has a good chance to graduate here. The biggest threat to his chances should come from Iberian Runner, who has been on the board in two of his last three starts and is cutting back in distance here.

The fourth race of the Thursday card is another maiden special weight, this time for 3-year-olds going seven furlongs on the dirt. This is an even field with at least four horses with a real chance to pick up a first win. The best chance might lie with Campton, a son of Uncle Mo who is out of a Dynaformer mare. Campton is trained by North America’s wins leader, Steve Asmussen, and will be ridden by this year’s leading rider from Sam Houston. Another horse with a good chance should be Gone Country, a Bret Calhoun trainee who is moving to the dirt after finishing fourth on the turf in his only start.

Race 6 moves to the turf for a third maiden special weight. 3-year-olds will battle over seven and a half furlongs for a share of a $33,000 purse. Sir Liam looks like a strong contender here; in his second start, he is moving down in class after debuting at the Fair Grounds. Dawson City looks like the toughest competition, he finished second in his last start, and the slight reduction in distance might be his sweet spot. If the race moves off the grass, Bougie Joe will be one to watch.

The last race of opening night is an allowance five furlong sprint for Texas-accredited fillies and mares 3 years old and up. Missiszipoy Bling will have a great chance in this one, she was third in her last two starts and could break through. Swift Red Bird is a winner coming off a layoff and could be dangerous if she is back to her best form.

Friday’s action will feature three big purse races along with five other claimers on the card.

Race 3 starts the big purse action with a maiden special weight for Texas-accredited fillies and mares 3 years old and up going six furlongs on the dirt. Azunia has drawn inside and looks to have the best chance of graduating. She finished third in two of her last three starts, and this distance could be what she is looking for. Olivia’s Race Day looks like the biggest threat on paper, these two have met three times head-to-head, with Azunia winning two out of three.

The sixth race is an allowance five furlong sprint for Texas-accredited horses 3 years old and up on the turf. Will the Thrill, a son of Speightster, is in fine form with two wins and a second in his last three starts. Uptowneagleslanded should also get a lot of attention, he was second in his last start but should need to improve to win in this spot.

The last race of the evening will be another maiden special weight for 3-year-old fillies going seven and a half furlongs on the turf. Oil N Candy is a daughter of Candy Ride who will feature the always dangerous Elliot / Asmussen combination. Tiz a Knockout is another strong contender, she has been second and third in her last two. Wild Express is also worth a look at what should be at longer odds.

In Saturday’s second race, Texas-accredited maidens will battle over six furlongs on the dirt. This one looks like a two-horse race. Hard Gold, a son of My Golden Song who is trained by J.R. Caldwell, looks like the class of the field, but Tiz Bodhi Boy could easily win instead.

Race 3 is an allowance for fillies and mares 3 years old and up sprinting five and a half furlongs on the dirt. Del Mar Drama could be a horse to be reckoned with, she is shipping in from Santa Anita, and the change of class and location could help her tremendously. Downton Abbey or Total Malice are nice alternatives.

The fifth race is an allowance optional claimer for Texas accredited 3-year-olds going a mile on the dirt. Guitar Boy looks like a very strong choice in this race, the son of Star Guitar looks to be better than Noise Complaint on paper, but that is not where the races are run.

In another allowance optional claimer horses 3 years old and up will move to the turf to travel seven and a half furlongs in Race 6. Robo and Fred’stwirlingcandy look like the class of the field, but if the race is off the turf, Kokokomo will be a force to be reckoned with.

Race 9 will be another maiden special weight. Horses 3 years old and up will go a mile on the turf. Whiterose Jewel looks like the strongest choice here, but Benissimo put up good numbers before a layoff.

Opening weekend will conclude with a nine-race card featuring five big purse events. In the second race, a maiden special weight for Texas-accredited 3-year-old fillies sprinting six furlongs on the dirt, Missingyoucrazy has put up strong numbers. There are also several first-time starters that could upset the best-laid plans.

In Race 3, an allowance optional claimer for 3-year-olds sprinting six furlongs, Clay’s Black Opal is coming off a strong win in his last start at Sam Houston. Perfect Prank is also in, and he is backed by Steve Asmussen and Stewart Elliot.

Race 5 is a five-and-a-half furlong allowance sprint on the dirt. Many of these horses have a win in their last three starts, but Seize the Treasure is on a two-race win streak. Jr’s Pacifico is another strong candidate, and Tapistar is in off a win at the Fair Grounds for Bret Calhoun.

The sixth race is a maiden special weight for fillies and mares 3 years old and up going a mile on the turf. Conceal is a first-time starter by Gun Runner that is trained by Steve Asmussen and will be ridden by Stewart Elliot.

The last race of opening weekend is an allowance optional claimer for fillies and mares 3 years old and up over seven and a half furlongs on the turf. Bret Calhoun enters Colors of the Wind with Jose Alvarez aboard. Princess Pauline is another interesting option here, she is by Curlin and out of a Pulpit mare and is backed by the Asmussen / Elliot combination.

First post for Thursday and Friday is at 6:30 while racing will begin at 1:30 on the weekend dates.