Lone Star Park weekend preview

Lone Star Park is gearing up for the second weekend of the thoroughbred meet with live racing this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Friday’s eight-race card is comprised of six claiming races and two allowance features.  

In Race 4, Texas-accredited fillies and mares 3 years old and up will contest 7 ½ furlongs on the turf. Trainer Karl Broberg has entered Cold Night Air, who is cutting back in distance after finishing fifth in her last start. Kuase I’m Devine was much better in her last start and could be a strong choice here. Lexington Diva is another one to watch; she has put up decent figures in her last three races and could be dangerous in this spot.

Race 7 is an allowance optional for claimer fillies and mares 3 years old and up sprinting five furlongs on the turf course. On paper, Charlie T looks much the best here; he is shipping in from The Fairgrounds, where he had one somewhat disappointing start but was in the money twice at Gulfstream before that. Pinky Toe or Medalia Match are the strongest alternatives.

Saturday’s card includes five races with purses of at least $35,000, beginning in Race 2. This maiden special weight is for fillies and mares 3 years old and up, covering six furlongs in the dirt. Gather the Facts features the dangerous combination of Stewart Elliot and Steve Asmussen as the jockey and trainer and is coming off a third-place finish at Sam Houston after racing in deeper water at Saratoga and Belmont Park. Power to Play is another interesting option; this filly is coming off a layoff but had a strong effort two back.

Race 5 is an allowance optional claimer for Texas-accredited 3-year-old fillies over 6 ½ furlongs on the dirt. The No. 3 horse, Waving Bye, looks to be the likely winner based on her last three starts at Sam Houston. Over the winter, she sandwiched a victory with a second and third-place finish, and if she is on form, she should be a factor here. My Patriotic Girl also has a chance, but she would have to step forward to contend with the favorite.

Moving to the seventh race, we find an allowance for Texas-accredited 3-year-olds over 7 ½ furlongs on the turf course. This race looks wide-open, with at least seven horses having a legitimate chance. Tapit’s Kash could have the best chance, coming off a win and two second-place finishes. Another of the morning line favorites is Morolicious; he had a strong spring at Sam Houston and has been in the money in three straight starts. Cinco Richie could be a bigger price horse, but if he can run to his best form, he could also be right there. 

Three year old fillies looking for their first win will take center stage in Race 8, a maiden special weight sprinting 5 ½ furlongs on the dirt. Our Pastor looks ready to be blessed with victory after finishing third and then second in her first two starts. Bella Elena is an alternate choice, the daughter of Good Magic is trained by Steve Asmussen and will be ridden by Stweart Elliot. If pedigree could win a race, No. 7, Therefore I am, would certainly finish in front. This filly is by Into Mischief and is out of a Seattle Slew mare. 

Saturday’s final race is an allowance optional claimer over one mile on the turf for horses 3 years old and up. This race could go in any number of ways, with several horses holding a chance at victory. Singapore Flash is coming in off two second-place finishes and should be in the mix. Cairo Warrior is coming off a victory and should also be a factor in the finish. The six, Risk Manager, who won at this level two races ago and is returning after stepping into stakes territory.

Sunday will wrap up the weekend with several allowance races that will carry large purses. The action will kick off in the very first race, an allowance optional claimer 3-year-old fillies over 6 ½ furlongs on the dirt. Appropriated Funds could go off as the favorite coming off a win and two seconds in her last three starts. Her main competition should come in the form of Jenny’s Penny, who won in her debut in March.

Race 2 is another allowance optional claimer over six furlongs for fillies and mares 3 years old and up on the turf course. This looks like a two-horse race between Outlining, entered by Asmussen and ridden by Elliot, and Redefinition, who is also trained by North America’s leader in wins. Outlining won her last start, while Redefinition is coming in off a second-place effort.

Texas-accredited 3-year-olds will compete in Race 4, an allowance optional claimer over 6 ½ furlongs on the dirt. This looks like a strong field with at least four genuine contenders. Trainer Danny Pish will enter Ima Cowboy, and despite finishing eighth in his last start in the Texas Thoroughbred Association Derby, he did win a stakes race before that and was second three starts ago. My Little Prince is coming in off a win, and his best effort should be enough to conquer this field. Tapiture Jones is another interesting option, he finished third just a week ago, and he will have the benefit of Elliot and Asmussen. 

The sixth race is a maiden special weight for Texas-accredited 3-year-olds covering one mile on the dirt. Hard Gold looks to have the best chance to graduate after finishing on the board in his last three starts. Oh Sean has been second in two of his last three and could play spoiler.

The last race of the weekend is an allowance optional claimer for horses 3 years old and up sprinting five furlongs on the turf. Rebel Posse is coming off a win and has an excellent chance to continue, but Excess Magic is second off a layoff, and if he returns to last year’s form, he will undoubtedly have something to say about the outcome.

Friday’s first post will be 6:15 p.m. and the weekend races begin at 1:35 p.m.