
View from behind of jockeys on horses rounding the corner during horse race.
Lone Star Park kicks off four days of racing action Thursday
Lone Star Park will host a four-day weekend of live thoroughbred racing action beginning this Thursday.
The first race of the long weekend is a maiden special weight over 4 ½ furlongs for 2-year-olds. Magical Mark looks like a strong choice here. David Cabrera will ride, and Karl Broberg is the trainer. Emily’s Bullet and Cool Ride are interesting alternatives.
Race 5 is an allowance five furlong sprint on the dirt for fillies and mares 3 years old and up. Super Wonder Girl is the morning line favorite, she has been on the board in her last three starts, including a win two back. Cadeau de Paix is coming in off a strong second-place performance at this distance in her previous start and could draw attention as well.
The sixth race is a maiden special weight for Texas-accredited 3-year-olds sprinting 5 ½ furlongs on the dirt. This race has drawn a large field that should add some uncertainty, but Mr. Valentino was second in his last start and looks promising. Tiz Bodhi Boy is another horse that has been rated highly in the morning odds; he is coming in off a sixth-place finish but was third in his other two starts. He did make three starts in just over a month at Sam Houston and could be sharper after some time off.
Action will move to the turf for the seventh race, an allowance optional claimer for 3-year-old fillies sprinting five furlongs. Titled Lady is shipping in from The Fairgrounds where she was second in her last start; she could fare better at Lone Star. Steve Asmussen has entered Aisha R N, and if she can match the form she showed in her last start she should be tough to beat.
Friday’s eight-race card features three claiming races and five allowance-level events. The larger purses begin in Race 3, an allowance optional claimer for 3-year-old fillies over six furlongs on the dirt. Jenny’s Penny was an impressive winner in her debut but was fourth at this level in her last start. Wiki Lio is another strong contender; she broke her maiden in her last start after finishing second in her debut. However, this will be her first time taking on winners.
The fourth race is another allowance optional claimer, this time for horses 3 years old and up covering 6 ½ furlongs. Several horses look like they have a chance to win here, It Makes Sense might have the strongest case coming in off a second-place finish in March. Algebra is another horse in good form; he has bookended two second-place finishes with a third in his last three starts.
Race 5 is the third of three consecutive allowance optional claiming races. This one is over one mile on the turf for 3-year-olds. Tres Soles features the Elliot / Asmussen combination and should win on pedigree alone. He is a son of Justify and is out of a Tapit mare. Mor Lana Spirit is coming in off a win in his last start in April and should have something to say about the outcome.
The seventh race is a maiden special weight for Texas-accredited fillies and mares 3 years old and up sprinting 5 ½ furlongs. On paper, at least three horses have a good shot at graduating in this one. Olivia’s Race Day was second in her last start, River’s End was third in her debut, and More Than Shakin has been on the board in her previous two races. Golden Slew deserves a hard look as well.
The Friday finale will be another maiden special weight, this time for 3-year-old fillies sprinting five furlongs on the turf. Happy in Heels is coming in from Will Rogers Downs and finished second in her last start. Sky Rocker is a horse that might be worth a look at price; his speed figures put him close to the leaders in this race.
Saturday’s action will bring another five races at the allowance level that will carry bigger purses. Race 2 is an allowance optional claimer for Texas-accredited 3-year-olds over six furlongs on the dirt. This race features a strong field of horses, and there are several that could take home the winner’s share. Tapiture Jones is a consistent runner who has been on the board in his last two starts, including a second last time out. Bling Bling Bling has been second in three consecutive starts. Guitar Boy won at this level over one mile last time out. Hard Gold is coming in off a win and has been on the board in three straight.
No Mas Tequila looks like a strong choice in the third, another allowance optional claimer for fillies and mares over 7 ½ furlongs on the turf. This daughter of Northern Afleet has been very consistent over her last three starts, pairing two second places finishes with a win two back. Mission Belle and She’sskysthelimit are quality alternatives.
The allowance optional claiming action continues in Race 4 as Texas-accredited 3-year-olds race over six furlongs on the dirt. Chief Brady won his last start and should be in the mix, but Darylslittlediablo is riding a two-race win streak and could be the class of the field.
Moving to Race 6, we find a maiden special weight for horses 3 years old and up racing one mile on the turf. At least five horses could win here without a surprise. Dawson City might be the top choice, but Dr Vinnie Boombatz, Wild Wing, Gametime Gladiator, and Nerky Rose are all in the mix.
Race 9 closes Saturday’s action with a five furlong turf sprint for Texas-accredited horses 3 years old and up under allowance conditions. Village Way is entered by Steve Asmussen and will be ridden by Stewart Elliot. He has finished on the board in three in a row, including a win three back. Will the Thrill should be the main competition. These two met in a six furlong race on April 29, with Village Way finishing second and Will the Thrill third.
Sunday’s program opens with an allowance optional claimer for Texas-accredited 3-year-old fillies sprinting 5 ½ furlongs on the dirt. Waving Bye will be looking for her second win of the Lone Star meet. Mor Peanuts could be her biggest obstacle if she can find the form she had in her two wins earlier this year.
Texas-accredited fillies and mares will battle over six furlongs under allowance conditions on the dirt in Race 2. Diamonds N Aces looks like a strong choice here if she can find the form that had her second and third in her last two starts at Sam Houston. Eagle Express will represent the Asmussen family as father Steve trains and son Keith will ride.
Race 5 on Sunday is written for Texas-accredited fillies and mares 3 years old and up sprinting five furlongs under allowance conditions. Missiszippy Bling has been third three starts in a row and will look to break through here. Gee She’s Fancy could stand in the way, she has been five twice, but this restricted race could give her the relief she needs. Shacked Stateside is also a strong contender; she has been close in her last two and could break out here.
The fifth race moves back to the dirt as horses 3 years old and up will race six furlongs under allowance conditions. Tapistar could be dangerous; he was third in his last start after breaking his maiden on debut. This second chance against winners could be where he takes a step forward. Cosmo is shipping in from Oaklawn. The water in Arkansas was a little deep, but this horse might be a player in this company. Missin Curfew is also coming from Oaklawn where he recorded two second-place finishes; if he responds to his new surroundings he could be a live threat.
First post on Thursday and Friday will be at 6:35, with the weekend action starting at 1:35.