Dancin’ Lil is a 4-year-old daughter of 2000 Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus. Her dam, Blabby B., is by Tabasco Cat, who won the Preakness in 1994. Dancin’ Lil enters Thursday’s race off a third-place finish in a six-furlong conditioned allowance at Lone Star. The April 25 start was her first race since September, and she has reason to move forward Thursday.
Bret Calhoun, who is two wins from his 600th training victory at Lone Star, has given the mount to Cliff Berry. Calhoun has had 2,329 starters at Lone Star, and they have earned a cumulative $11,774,376. Overall, Calhoun has won more than 2,150 races in a career launched in 1994. His 9,800 starters have earned more than $51 million.
Dancin’ Lil races for the partnership of Wayne Sanders and Larry Hirsch.
Double Tapped is a 3-year-old daughter of Tapit and the Grade 2-winning mare Fun House, who produced $1.7 million earner Paddy O’Prado. Glen Murphy has the mount for Winchell Thoroughbreds and trainer Steve Asmussen.
◗ The plans for Yankee Gambler, a 2-year-old son of Yankee Gentleman who won his debut by 6 1/4 lengths Saturday at Lone Star, are to be determined, Calhoun said. He noted that the horse is a Louisiana-bred, and he plans to look into all options. Yankee Gambler won over 4 1/2 furlongs and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 76.
◗ Trainer Justin Evans won twice in Lone Star’s seventh race Sunday, when he sent out Matto Mondo ($3.60) and Isa My Love ($4.80) to a dead-heat score. Evans also won the third and sixth races Sunday.
Lone Star Park: More ground suits Dancin’ Lil