NEWS AND NOTES FOR JULY 11, 2014
STARS OF TEXAS DAY AT LONE STAR PARK
Saturday marks the last day of the Thoroughbred season at Lone Star Park, with four stakes races on the Stars of Texas Day card.
Carded as race #3, the 17th Running of the $50,000 Valor Farm Stakes for Texas-bred fillies & mares, 3-yr-olds & up going 6 furlongs on the main track has drawn a competitive field of 8, including the winner and third-place finisher in the June 14 Lane’s End Stallion Scholarship Stakes. Coming off a strong allowance win on June 21, Molly’s Honour (Etesaal – Honour Shaker) will be seeking to add to her career earnings of $164,408 for owner Joey Keith Davis and trainer Karl Broberg. Judy Peek’s homebred Lasting Bubbles (Pulling Punches – Slim’s Secret), who has not raced since her third-place finish in the Scholarship Stakes is the morning line favorite at 8/5. With lifetime earnings of $265,581, she is trained by Kevin Peek.
Nurse Goodnight, Flashy Pearl, More Than That, Early Fantasy, Scooter’s Choice and Forever Since round out the field.
Texas Bling (Too Much Bling – Anythingmore) will be returning to the distance of his biggest win as part of a large, competitive field of 11 in the 17th running of the $50,000 Assault Stakes for Texas-breds, 3-yr-olds & up going 1 mile on the main track. Back in December 2012, as a 2-year-old, Texas Bling won the $300,000 Remington Springboard Mile by 1 ¾ lengths. He is coming off a May 16 allowance win at 6 furlongs.
Also racing for owners Hall’s Family Trust is homebred He Has Bling, another 4-year-old by Too Much Bling, out of Deeya Maria. Both are trained by Danele Durham and post morning line odds of 4/1.
The morning line favorite at 5/2 is Texas Air (Texas City – Malaysian Air), who won the one mile Star of Texas Stakes at Houston on January 18. Texas Air races for breeder Paul Rigali Jr. and is trained by Allen Milligan.
Rounding out the field are tough competitors Fifty Pesos, Hang Cool, His Money’s Mine, F J Uncle Vic, Special U F O, Jump in Line, Tater Red and Edplicit.
As the lone Louisiana-bred in the $100,000-estimated filly division of the TTA Sales Futurity, Vivian Da Bling (Too Much Bling – Midnight Lightning) is the early favorite at 6/5. With her 9 ½ length win in a 5-furlong maiden special weight on June 15th, it is easy to see why. She is trained by Bret Calhoun for owners JRita Young Thoroughbreds LLC. Consigned to the Fasig-Tipton Texas 2013 Yearling Sale by Inside Move, Inc. as agent for Channon Farms, the Young’s purchased the filly for $40,000.
Silver City Sal (Silver City – Delta Band) will also be tough to beat, breaking her maiden with a maiden special weight on May 15 by 5 ¾ lengths. Her stablemate, Santacafe (Early Flyer – Cafe Pacific), also broke her maiden with a 2 ¾ length win despite a rough trip in a MSW on May 26th. Bret Calhoun trains both for owner Douglas Scharbauer.
Carol’s Flyer (Early Flyer – Deep Finesse) broke her maiden with a 1 ¾ length win in a MSW on June 28th for trainer Joseph Smith and owner Danny Keene.
Rounding out the field are Just Aly, Tea for Two, Red Phone and Sali’s Special. Proudtobewest is scratched.
In the $100,000-estimated colt/gelding division of the TTA Sales Futurity, Supermason (Grasshopper – Folksy) is the morning line favorite at 8/5 after winning a maiden special weight by 3 ½ furlongs on June 26. Supermason is owned by Brad Grady and trained by Bret Calhoun.
Kentucky-bred Unbridled Kid (Songandaprayer – Vivid Sunset) posted an impressive 7 ½ length maiden win on May 10. Owner Brad Raney purchased the colt for $90,000 out of the Fasig-Tipton Texas Yearling Sale. He is trained by Karl Broberg.
Nublado Bling, Summer Parade, Gold Flight, Alamo City, W V Jetsetter, Guess Again, and Assorted Humour complete the field.
The 2014 Thoroughbred Season Champions will be honored between races throughout the night for the following categories: Claimer of the Meet, Horse of the Meet, Leading Trainer, Leading Apprentice Jockey/Leading Jockey, Texas-bred of the Meet and Leading Owner.
NOTES: Hall of Fame trainer Jack Van Berg will be at LSP at 5:30 p.m. Saturday to meet with racing fans and sign copies of the book, “Jack, From Grit to Glory, a Lifetime of Mentoring, Dedication and Perseverance,” a biography written by long-time racing personality, Chris Kotulak…A new website dedicated to jockeys and a jockey of the week award will debut on July 14th: JockeyTalk360.com will offer a unique blend of news, features, social media and statistics that will appeal to racing’s casual fans, as well as seasoned handicappers…The TRC has scheduled a public comment hearing on the subject of pari-mutuel wagering on historical races for 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 17th at the Texas Animal Health Commission, 2105 Kramer Lane, Austin, TX 78758. Horsemen are encouraged to attend and sign a card in support of the proposed rules. If you have not already done so, please send in your letter of support or sign one of the petitions available. The public comment period ends July 27th…Special thanks to Kentucky trainer Kenny McPeek who has sent our petition to his Horse Racing NOW database. We appreciate your support!