Lone Star Park Race Recap – Sunday May 27, 2018 – Day 20 of 44

DAY 20

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas (Sunday, May 27, 2018) –Owned and trained by C. R. Trout of Hammon, Oklahoma, Shotgun Kowboy (Kodiak Kowboy) held off top opponents Mubtaahij and Fear the Cowboy for the prize in the 22^nd running of the Grade 3, $200,000 Lone Star Park Handicap Sunday.

With the scratch of Full of Luck, who stayed in California to run in yesterday’s Santa Anita Gold Cup, it was just a field of four when the gates opened today. Though small in field size the competition was stellar. Shotgun Kowboy was on his game today. The 6-yr-old dark brown gelding was out like a shot for the gate-to-wire victory in the mile and a sixteenth race. Early fractions were 24.29 and 47.63. Final time was 1:44.84 on and fast track.

“I got him to break good, maintain, and keep him comfortable with what he wants to do,” said winning jockey Luis Quinonez. “I think I got a good path and was able to move right where I wanted to and control the race.  I couldn’t thank C. R. enough, he does a great job.”

“This colt is easy to train and we just let him do his thing today and get where he wanted to be,” said winning owner/trainer C. R. Troutt.  “I’m thankful to have Luis riding him, I couldn’t have asked for a better job and I’d like to thank my assistant Daniel Ortiz, who has done a wonderful job galloping in the morning.  I appreciate Lone Star and the effort they did to put this on. We had a good field today and it feels good to win one of those.”

Favorite Mubtaahij, was asked leaving the gate, settling just off the pace. When asked in the stretch he wasn’t able to catch the leader, but was clear for second place. Fear the Cowboy raced near the rear, moved closer halfway down the backstretch, was 6-wide into the stretch under the whip, but weakened, but was able to hold for third. South Beach stalked the leader on the outside, drawing even in with three furlongs, but tired. Full of Luck was a scratch.

Mutuels for the winner paid $11.20; $3.00 and $2.00. Place paid $2.10 and $0.50. Show returned $2.00. There was no trifecta or Superfecta wagering on the race.

Shotgun Kowboy increased his career earnings to $1,246,326. This was his 12^th win from 29 career starts.

Around the track

Jockey Richard Eramia continues to dominate the standings with 46 wins through Sunday. Iram Diego is second with 32 wins and Lindey Wade moved into third place with 17 wins.

Trainer Karl Broberg is holding a 10 win lead over Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen at 42-32 wins respectively. Bret Calhoun is in third place with 10 wins.

Live racing resumes next Friday, June 1. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. First race post time is 6:35 p.m.

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GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas (Saturday, May 26, 2018) – Mark Norman & Norman Stables LLC’s filly Shes Our Fastest (Oratory) won the filly division of the Texas Stallion Stakes by six and three-quarters lengths from a field of five. Final time for the one-mile contest was 1:38.20 on a fast main track.

Shes Our Fastest raced comfortably in third position off the rail, was asked early in the far turn and made her bid on the outside, overtook the two leaders turning into the stretch and drew away under steady urging.

Winning rider Richard Eramia said “She was nice and relaxed and ran a big race today. I got where I wanted and did everything easy.”

“I knew when Richard elected to go around, it was on,” said winning trainer Paul Duhon. “She trained well this morning and I was really impressed with how she acted on the track.”

Mutuels for the winner were $10.80, $5.20 and $3.40. Second place went to Flight Queen who paid $3.80 and $3.00. Howboutthiscowgirl was the early pacesetter dropping back under a drive in the final furlong, but able to hold on for the show returning $3.40. Favorite Patrona Margarita failed to respond and finished fourth 12 & ½ lengths with Sing Prada Sing completing the order.

This was the third career win for Shes Our Fastest from nine career starts. Her total earnings including the $39,ooo winners share from this are now $120,550.

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Lone Star Park Race Recap – Saturday May 26, 2018 – Day 19 of 44

DAY 19

Lone Star Park Race Recap – Saturday May 25, 2018 – Day 18 of 44

DAY 18

Lone Star Park Race Recap – Saturday May 24, 2018 – Day 17 of 44

DAY 17

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas (May 20, 2018) – W. S. Farish’s Direct Dial (Too Much Bling) trained by Steve Asmussen, gets it done Sunday winning the 15^th edition of the Texas Stallion Stakes, Stymie Division for 3-yr-old colts & geldings. The one mile race was the third and final of the Texas Stallion Stakes Series. The first of the series is held at Retama Park in the fall, followed by the second held at Sam Houston in January, the third at Lone Star. The victory completed the series triple for Direct Dial.

“The inside was kind of bad so I took advantage of being on the outside,” said winning jockey Iram Diego. “He broke so good.”

Direct Dial went right to the lead out of the gate then was headed at the quarter mark by rival Silis. He was content to sit just off the leader down the backstretch until nearing the far turn. Direct Dial decided it was time regain his spot in front where he raced comfortably to the wire. Even money favorite Galactica (Uncle Abbie) raced along mid-pack through most of it, passing the others entering the stretch, but couldn’t catch the leader. “It’s a good thing he relaxed and was rested for the end.” Diego added about Direct Dial.

Direct Dial paid $4.60, $2.40 and $2.10. Galactica returned $2.20 and $2.10. Swift Shock, who passed tiring rivals to get third returned $2.20. Silver Luke Silver and Silis completed the order.

Final time for the one-mile race on a muddy, sealed track was 1:39.37. Early fractions were 23.99 and 47.75.

Direct Dial’s career earnings, with the added $39,000 from the win are $202,820. This was his fourth win from nine career starts.

Noteworthy

Jockey Iram Diego and trainer Steve Asmussen each won a total of 10 races over the three days of live racing this weekend.

Up Next

Please note that live racing resumes next Thursday, May 24. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. First post is 6 p.m. On Sunday, May 27, the headline will be the 22^nd edition of the Grade 3, $200,000 Lone Star Park Handicap. A field of five entered today and boasts four Hall of Famers – Bob Baffert is sending Mubtaahij and has named Mike Smith to ride. Jerry Hollendorfer has entered Full of Luck, and Steve Asmussen has entered South Beach. That’s a lot of star-power!

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Lone Star Park Race Recap – Saturday May 19, 2018 – Day 15 of 44

DAY 15