Fri, 20 June, 1997
Hi Al,
Sorry it has been so long since I've written. Alot has been happening, and
time has slid by awfully quickly.
There have been several other very exciting stakes events at LSP recently.
The Dallas Turf Cup was won by Burbank, after all waited at the post due to
gate antics by the Bradshaw trained Oncefortheroad. Oncefortheroad was a
late scratch by order of the stewards. On the following day, the Texas
Legends was won by Nanie's Money. Notice that the second place finisher,
Two Steppin' Toni, a top Texas bred filly, is a sister to Ticklin' Toni,
who runs in the TTBA sale futurity finals. The Lone Star Oaks was also run
on grass, and this was won by California shipper Tassa.
I think the last time I wrote was right before the TTBA sale futurity
trials. The trials having flown by, and several good races later, here it
is, almost time for the TTBA sale futurity finals. Wow. The trials had a
plethora of good 2yos. It should be interesting to watch these youngsters
come along. In the filly division, Pure Mischief ran the fastest time of
the night, running the 5f in 58.23, eight lengths in front of the other
fillies in her trial. Her time was nearly a full second faster than any of
the other trials, with Dontbrooknosass winning her trial in 59.13, Came
Unwound in 59.13, Ticklin Toni in 59.72, Hillbilly Queen in 59.9. The
other trial winners were Divy in Seattle in 1:00.07, Cypress City Queen in
1:00.08, Grey Mine in 1:00.19, and San Maria in 1:00.08. This should be
very interesting, as several of these fillies won by several lengths and
perhaps were not pushed to their fullest.
The previous evening, the colts ran some good races, as well. In the
first, Love That Bear won in 58.3. Raise A Tab won in 58.77. The other
colts and gelding that ran were bested by Brick Works (59.38), Moon Smile
(59.5), and the two Walesa colts, Mooralesa (59.4), and Cowboy Way (59.65).
Don't forget to watch the finals--worth $250,000 EACH-- on Fox Sports SW
Sunday June 22.
The next weekend gives us even more racing excitement. On Friday, June
27th, Lone Star Park hosts the National Jockey Championship which I have
talked about before. Never before has there been an event of this kind in
racing. Seven hall of fame jockeys--Jerry Bailey, Pat Day, Eddie
Delahousay, Chris McCarron, Laffit Pincay Jr, Gary Steven, and Jorge
Velasquez--in addition to invitees Mike Smith, Kent Desormeaux, and Shane
Sellers, and the top two riders at LSP this meet (Ronald Ardoin and Marlon
St Julien) will compete in four events. Each rider will draw a mount for
each of the races. The better the finish, the more points gained. The
rider with the most points at the end wins $25,000, second place wins
$15,000, third $10,000, fourth $8,000, fifth $7,000, and all of the rest
get $5,000 each. In addition, 1% of the mutuel handle goes to the National
Jockeys Guild. This should be awesome.
The next day, June 28th, ESPN will have coverage of the Grand Prairie Gold
Cup (and I would fully expect ESPN will show highlights of the Jockey
Challenge). Also that day is the Irving Distaff, which will be shown by
ESPN2. Lots of good racing, lots of TV coverage.
On a side note, country singer George Strait has had good success here at
LSP. I've seen two of his horses run here, and I've seen them score three
wins under trainer Michelle Mullin. I wonder if George would come sing at
Lone Star? Now that would be a draw!!
Time slips right on by. There is only a month left of the inaugural meet
here at LSP. After this meet, comes the TB meet at Retama. Retama has
announced its stakes schedule, which is highlighted by the El Joven stakes.
This race is $100,000 7 1/2f turf race for 2yos and will run August 23rd.
Nothing like getting those babies around two turns early... The La
Senorita stakes are the sister stakes to the El Joven, run at the same
conditions for fillies, and for $75,000 on September 1. The total purse
for all of Retamas stakes event is $625,000, parcelled into the
aforementions stakes, as well as 3 $50,000 stakes. The remainder of the
stakes are worth $25,000 each.
Soon we should get an idea of racing dates for next year. The deadline for
application is July 1. I expect LSP will ask for the same dates as they
have this year. What will the other tracks do? Remington (although in
Oklahoma) is expected to apply for dates from July 3 to November 29. A
certain amount of overlap is to be expected, I guess.
Well, Al, I think that is all I have for right now. Take care, and I hope
you and the family are well.
Jill
The Running Horse (http://www.isd1.com/)