Lone Star Park weekend racing recap
Another exciting weekend of racing action at Lone Star Park kicked off Thursday with a maiden special weight race for Texas-accredited fillies and mares going one mile on the dirt. Governor Ann, a 3-year-old daughter of Too Much Bling, tracked More Than Shakin through the backstretch and made her move in the stretch to graduate. River’s End rounded out the trifecta. Austin Gustafson was the winning trainer while David Cabrera was aboard.
Cabrera started the weekend on fire, he rode the winner of the first two races and was second by half a length in Race 3.
Race number four was an allowance optional claimer for 3-year-old fillies traveling 1 ¹/₁₆ miles on the dirt. Wild Express picked up her second win of the Lone Star meet, leading from gate to wire for trainer Terry Eoff and jockey Sofia Barandela. This daughter of Bayern set the early pace and was able to draw away from Triple L’s Cutter and Crafty Money who finished second and third.
Thursday’s finale, an allowance race for horses 3 years old and up over 1 ¹/₁₆ miles on the dirt, was taken by Big Country. This horse is owned by North America’s all-time wins leader, Steve Asmussen, and was ridden by his son Keith. Big Country settled off the pace and made his move in the stretch, battling with Big Bernie before drawing away to win by a length at the wire. Hamazing Wisdom was third.
Friday’s races at Lone Star Park were canceled due to inclement weather, but the action resumed Saturday with another exciting card.
Texas-accredited 3-year-olds battled under allowance conditions in the second race, a six-furlong affair on the dirt. Stan’s Home Run proved aptly named as he pulled away in the stretch for trainer Austin Gustafson and jockey Freddy Marrique. Village Way was able to hold off Will the Thrill for second place.
The next race was a maiden special weight for 3-year-olds racing seven furlongs on the dirt. Conflicting Tales led all the way, outbreaking the speed horses and holding off Vivaciously in the stretch. David Cabrera picked up another win in the saddle and Bret Calhoun was the victorious trainer. Pivosky finished third.
Moving down to Race 7 we find another maiden special weight, this time for Texas-accredited horses 3 years old and up over one mile on the dirt track. Bay Be Gone picked up a great trip, settling at the back of the pack to secure the rail, he passed horses in the backstretch before swinging wide in the stretch to outkick the rest. Ernesto Valdez-Jiminez turned in a solid ride for trainer Joaquin Garza. Iberian Runner was second with King Arthur Ridge taking third.
The potent combination of trainer Steve Asmussen and jockey Stewart Elliot struck for victory in the 10th race, a maiden special weight spring of five furlongs on the dirt for horses 3 years old and up. Their entry, Kell’s Bells, took command early and pulled away in the stretch to win by four lengths. Wagon Train was able to get up for second, and Stasis took third.
Sunday’s action began with Gold Pilot getting up in the stretch to out-finish Kokokomo to win by a head. Bizzy Legs was third in this allowance optional claimer covering one mile on the dirt. Jose Alvarez rode the winner while Bret Calhoun trained.
The third race on Sunday was a maiden special weight sprint over five furlongs on the dirt for fillies and mares 3 years old and up. Madamoussepouse was clearly the best here, she took command early and pulled away to win by six lengths over Glory O and LIbbies Baby. Freddy Marrique was the winning rider and Austin Gustafson continued his strong weekend training.
Moving to the fourth race we find another sprint over five and a half furlongs on the dirt this time under allowance optional claiming conditions. Impressed did so as he pressed the pace before pulling away to win by almost three lengths. Available Star was second and Empire of Gold was only able to finish third. Rene Diaz was the winning jockey while Danny Caldwell was the winning trainer.
The sixth race was a five-furlong sprint for fillies and mares at least 3 years old under allowance conditions. Senseofexcellence lived up to her name, pulling away in the stretch to win by daylight for Asmussen and Elliot. Cadeaux De Paix was second with Ring Me Darling rounding out the trifecta.
In the last race of the weekend, Missingyouvrazy graduated in a maiden special weight for Texas-accredited fillies and mares 3 years old and up. Jose Alvarez and Bret Calhoun combined with this daughter of Bradester who romped over this field to win by seven Gold Memories was second with La Valedora finishing third.
Live racing will resume next Friday at Lone Star Park with a first post time of 6:35. There will also be live racing and viewing of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, first post on Derby day is 1:35.
