Lone Star: Dependable Direct Dial Shows Up Again On Sunday’s Texas-Bred Stakes Card

Five Texas-bred stakes races highlighted Sunday's racing action at Lone Star Park, highlighted by Direct Dial's victory in the Wayne Hanks Memorial.

The W.S. Farish homebred has now pushed his career earnings over $500,000, winning in state-bred company for the fifth time in a year.

Direct Dial is trained by Steve Asmussen and ridden by Stewart Elliot, who was aboard for all five of the Texas-bred victories.

Favorite, Mr. Money Bags set the pace and was in front from the quarter pole, but Direct Dial got the best of him late to win by a half-length. Kenai Bob was a weakening third.

Final time for the six and a half furlongs was 1:16.37.

First stakes on the card was the $50,000 Texas Horseracing Hall of Fame Stakes and it was Carolyn Barnett and Becky Harding's Sunlit Song ($2.60) was all business focusing on the task at hand. When asked once down the lane he responded perfectly to win by two lengths. Moojab Jr. finished second two and a half lengths ahead of Gotherightonebaby in third. Redatory stalked the early pace and made a bid on the far turn, but came up empty finishing last of the field of five. Beta Lake finished a neck in from of him.

Final time for the mile and a sixteenth on the grass was 1:42.35. David Cabrera was up for the win and said, “I just let him do his thing and he was relaxed sitting second and they so slow it set us up perfect. It's to ride a horse like this.”

This was his eighth win from twelve starts over this course. Winning trainer was Mindy Willis.

Staunch Avenger Division of the Texas Stallion Stakes for Colts & Geldings

Favorite, Tengo Mis Papeles, owned by Wayne Sanders & Larry Hirsch was outstanding in this five furlong contest. The My Golden Song colt broke quickly and clear. Briefly challenged, he put that foe away with ease and drew off to a perfect nine and three quarter length victory in his debut. Pickingupstrangers grabbed the place and Pinky Ring Bling challenged the winner on the turn and faded to third. Bodymoor Heath was last in this short field of four.

Final time for the five eights on the dirt was :58.97.

Winning rider Reylu Gutierrez said, “When I poked a head in front at the quarter pole, I knew it was over.”

Winning trainer was Bret Calhoun

Lane's End Danny Shiffett Scholarship Stakes

Eleven fillies & mares went forward in this and it was De Luca and Sons Stables, Boerne who proved best today. She was away first, then briefly letting Discreet Smile run on the lead, but when she made her bid on the far turn it was all over for the others. Boerne ($11.20) crossed the finish first by one and a quarter lengths. Zarelda was second with third going to Shes Our Fastest. In fourth it was favorite Miss Perfecta followed by Corluna, Ima Discreet Lady, Herbs Love, Discreet Smile, Gee She Sparkles, No Mas Tequila and Tahitian Breeze completed the order of finish. Light Up the Devil was a late scratch.

Winning trainer was Robertino Diodoro, winning jockey, Ramon Vazquez.

Final time was 1:28.83 for the seven and a half furlongs on the Lone Star Park turf course.

Pan Zareta Division of the Texas Stallion Stakes for Fillies

Winning the filly division for owner W. S. Farish was Eagle Express ($6.00), by Eagle. Trained by Steve Asmussen, she finished second in her debut here last month, but showed much improvement today running like a professional. Going forward today as post time favorite, she was five lengths the best in this five furlong contest on the main track.

With Stewart Elliott up, the pair completed the race in :58.82 seconds over a fast track. It's a Gee Thing was second and Texas Thunder was a weakening third beaten by 13 lengths in his debut, racing greenly.

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‘He’s Such A Cool Horse’: Direct Dial Among Texas Champions Day Winners

Sam Houston Race Park saluted accredited Texas-breds Saturday, March 20, with seven Texas Champions Day stakes. It was an exceptional renewal of the annual racing event with many compelling story lines. Several undisputed favorites did not disappoint and there were plenty of impressive performances from first-time stakes winners.  From the $100,000 Spirit of Texas to the final stakes on the card, the $100,000 Yellow Rose, there were thrills for each of the connections as well as racing fans in Houston and those watching via simulcasting.

Gunnerscelesticman Surprises in the $100,000 Spirit of Texas
The Texas Champions night card kicked off the first of seven stakes with a bit of an upset as Gunnerscelesticman ($14.60) won the $100,000 Spirit of Texas Stakes.

Ernesto Valdez-Jiminez and Gunnerscelesticman sat near the pace before pulling ahead in the stretch and clearing the field of eight by two lengths by the wire. In his previous start, he was second to Direct Dial in the $75,000 H-Town Stakes at Sam Houston last month.

Gunnerscelesticman posted a final time of 1:10.71 for the six-furlong sprint on the main track. The 5-year-old horse is trained by Teofilo Garcia, Jr. and is owned by Layem Down Racing II, who also bred the son of Celestic Night out of Lady Hi Teck, by Hi Teck Man.

“I knew I that he would run well tonight after finishing second to Direct Dial,” said Garcia. “He got the lead tonight; that's what he likes. He'll go to Lone Star next.”

Gold Pilot closed from last to get up for second, and Dr. Boehrer finished third. Completing the field were Best Little Man, Shotsoft, Good Judgment, He's a Suitor and Crosstime.

Direct Dial Continues Winning Ways in $100,000 Star of Texas
February's $75,000 H-Town Stakes at Sam Houston proved to be a key race ahead of the Texas Champions card; while the runner up, Gunnerscelesticman, won the first stake of the night, the winner, Direct Dial, returned with another stakes win in the second race, the $100,000 Star of Texas Stakes.

A heavy favorite thanks to his multiple stakes wins, Direct Dial ($3.20) rewarded fans with 1 ¼ length win in the one mile contest on the main track. The final time was 1:38.10.

Current meet-leading rider Stewart Elliott returned to ride the 6-year-old horse for trainer Steve Asmussen and owner and breeder W.S. Farish. Sired by Too Much Bling and out of the Mineshaft mare Fast Find,  Direct Dial has now won 10 of his 27 career starts and has earned $490,237 to date. The star of the Texas-bred program has won multiple Texas-bred stakes dating back to 2018 and was honored that year as the Texas Thoroughbred Association (TTA) Horse of the Year.

“He's such a cool horse,” said Elliott.  ” Nothing bothers him and I was not worried about the mile. I asked him to settle and he did his job. Steve puts me on great horses and makes my job easy.”

Kenai Bob chased Direct Dial to finish second. Trumps Revenge completed the trifecta, followed by Mucho Dinero and Algebra. Gold Pilot was scratched.

Silence d'Oro Earns First Career Stakes Win in the $100,000 Groovy Stakes
Fresh off his three-length maiden-breaking score in February, Silence d'Oro returned to earn his first career stakes victory in the $100,000 Groovy Stakes.

Jose Alvarez led the 3-year-old Silentio colt to a gate-to-wire victory, fending off a late closing move by favorite Bobby Brinkley to win by a length and a half.

Silence d'Oro ($6.40) is trained by Dallas Keen for owner Epona Thoroughbreds LLC, who bred the colt out of Flair for Fashion, by Old Fashioned. He defeated a field of eight other talented Texas-bred 3-year-olds in the six-furlong dirt sprint with a final time of 1:10.99.

“This is the first foal by Silentio, and he was a really nice horse,” said Keen. “I told Joan from day one that this was a stakes horse.”

Texas owner Joan Franklin was rooting for her homebred and overcome with emotion watching Silence d'Oro win his stakes debut.

“This is a horse owner's dream,come true,” said Franklin. “I was there when he was born on Easter Sunday and loved him immediately. He's been a sweetheart all along.”

Frank Lucarelli trainee Bobby Brinkley gained ground to finish second and put four lengths between him and third-place finisher Island Sun. Completing the field were Bling's Bellwether, Lucky Promise, Stone Café, Texas Titan, Dust Em and Brother Robert.

Sunlit Song Overcomes Obstacles to Win $100,000 Richard King Stakes
It appeared that everything was working against Sunlit Song on Saturday night, but nothing could keep the 6-year-old My Golden Song gelding out of the winner's circle for the $100,000 Richard King Stakes.

Post-time favorite Sunlit Song ($4.20) popped through his gate prior to the start of the race, though jockey Lindey Wade maintained his mount. The pair was able to reload, only to hesitate at the break and spot the field several lengths at the start of the race. In an expert ride, Wade was patient, saved ground and closed swiftly in the stretch despite a slow early pace. The final time for the 1 1/8 mile turf event was 1:51.88.

“He sprung through the gates which was worrisome,” explained Wade. “Then when  he left, he stumbled. I had to ask him quicker than normal to get him into position. Maybe he wasn't quite ready in his last, but he was 100% tonight.”

Sunlit Song has finished in the exacta in his last six starts, including his most recent effort in which he finished a head behind upset winner Moojab Jr in the $75,000 Houston Turf Stakes on February 20. Mindy Willis trains for owners Carolyn R. Barnett and Becky Harding. Barnett also bred Sunlit Song out of Fly So True, a daughter of Barnett's stakes winning mare Truly Sunlit.

“This horse has been so good to us,” said Willis. ” I was in tears when I saw him stumble because I've never had one recover from a start that bad. He's just so good; in every race, he just gets better!”

Singapore Flash was second in the close finish, and Moojab Jr closed from last to finish third. The remaining order of finish was Valentine Street, Easter Snap, Gottherightonebaby, Redatory and Aryscelestic Man. Men of Kyle was scratched.

Happy Sailor Impressive Winner of the $100,000 Bara Lass Stakes
Happy Sailor made her stakes debut a winning one; the 3-year-old filly won the $100,000 Bara Lass Stakes in style. Iram Diego sat just off the pace before guiding the filly to an impressive six-length win in a field of seven fillies. The pair stopped the clock in 1:11.90 for the six-furlong sprint on the main track.

Happy Sailor ($7.20) is undefeated in three starts as a 3-year-old, all at Sam Houston. She is now three for four lifetime and passed the $100,000 earnings mark with Saturday's win.

“It was pretty exciting, ” said Jacks. “I want to thank Larry Huntsinger for breeding the filly and Eddie Milligan, Jr. for bragging on her until we bought her. Eddie kept saying she was “neat”. Now I know what neat means!”

The daughter of Midshipman is owned by Larry Huntsinger and trained by Karen Jacks. Diamond W Racing Stable bred the filly in Texas out of Forest Path, by El Corredor.

While there was no catching the winner in the Bara Lass, Ry Eikleberry and Mostly Distorted were up for second place, while Texas Red Bel, who set an early pace with Sophie Doyle, hung on for third. Samborita, Its My Money Too, Wink Texas and Thatsalotofbling rounded out the field of Texas-bred 3-year-old fillies. Lumberjack Leslie was scratched.

Discreet Smile Prevails in Thrilling Edition of the $100,000 San Jacinto Stakes
The six-horse field in the $100,000 San Jacinto Stakes quickly became a two-horse race as Discreet Smile and No Mas Tequila hooked up at the top of the stretch and dueled down to the wire in one of the most exciting races of the Texas Champions card.

In the photo finish, Discreet Smile ($7.60) and Sophie Doyle defeated post-time favorite No Mas Tequila and Leandro Goncalves by a head. The final time for the 1 1/16 miles on the turf was 1:45.66.

“She broke out a little when we left the gate,” said Doyle. “Once she got in stride, she traveled superbly. I looked around and saw we had an easy lead, but the rest was really exciting. I told Larry that she finished like a sprinter! He did an excellent job bringing her back off the layoff.”

Hailing from the barn of Larry Stroope, Discreet Smile was last seen on the racetrack in February of 2020, but the year-long layoff proved to be of no concern for the 5-year-old mare.

Sylvia Baird owns and bred the daughter of Discreet Cat, out of Smiles Golden Song, by My Golden Song.

A gap of four separated the first two finishers from Averys Miss in third, followed by Empressive Reward, Corluna and Veilazig. Ima Discreet Lady and Miss Perfecta were scratched.

Ima Discreet Lady Shows Versatility in the $100,000 Yellow Rose Stakes
In the final feature of the night, Ima Discreet Lady edged out Shes Our Fastest in a photo finish of the $100,000 Yellow Rose Stakes.

Ima Discreet Lady ($4.80) was entered in both the Yellow Rose and the San Jacinto, and trainer Karl Broberg selected the main track sprint for the versatile filly. She faced a field of six Texas-bred fillies and mares on the dirt and posted a final time of 1:10.94 for six furlongs.

Ry Eikleberry had the call on the 5-year-old daughter of Discreet Cat. He was also aboard for her previous start, a four-length victory in the $75,000 Bluebonnet Stakes, a turf mile, last month.

“She's just a very game filly,” commented Eikleberry. “We knew the #1 had speed; she broke sharp and I just sat off her. I didn't want to let her get too far in front; it just worked out. She's just a pleasure to ride and I really appreciate the connections for giving me the opportunity.

The winner of the 2019 Bara Lass Stakes, Ima Discreet Lady has won nine of her 24 career starts and is a multiple stakes winner. She is owned by Raymond Todd White and Duane Coker and was bred by Larry Huntsinger, out of the Too Much Bling mare Ima Three Blinger.

White, who picked her out of the TTA 2-year-old in Training Sale with Broberg, was there for the victory.

“Karl has been a blessing for us,” stated White. “He's campaigned this filly like no other. Everything he has done with her has been perfect!”

Broberg held off on the decision to run on turf or dirt, but made the call after talking with his owner.

“Karl told me he felt she could have won either stakes,” added White. “He asked me when the last time was we won a turf route stakes and dirt sprint within two weeks of each other with the same horse. I said never, so he said let's run on the dirt.”

Shes Our Fastest and Stewart Elliott closed quickly to finish second. Boerne, who led early as the post-time favorite, finished third, and Light Up the Devil, Zarelda, Gee She Sparkles and Sardabling completed the field.

The 2021 Sam Houston Race Park Thoroughbred meet will continue through Saturday, April 3.

Sam Houston Race Park is Houston's premier racing and entertainment facility, located just 15 miles from downtown Houston.  The Park offers a variety of attractions including a Suite Level featuring luxurious suites overlooking the racetrack, The Pavilion Centre, and award-winning dining options at the Winner's Circle Restaurant and the Jockey Club.  For more information on upcoming live racing, shows, events and tickets, please visit www.shrp.com.

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Texas Champions Day: Seven Texas-Bred Stakes Featured Saturday At Sam Houston

Sam Houston Race Park will present seven stakes on Saturday, March 20 saluting accredited Texas-breds. Since 1994, Texas Champions Day, with features on both the main track and Connally Turf Course, has served as a tribute to the breeders, owners and Thoroughbreds in the Lone Star state.

Purses for the seven features have been increased to $100,000 this year and competitive fields have been drawn for each of the Texas Champions Day stakes. The 11-race card will get underway at 5:45 pm (CT) with an excellent weather forecast of sunshine and highs in the low 70's.

A field of eight colts and geldings will kick off the stakes action in the six furlong $100,000 Spirit of Texas Stakes.

Good Judgment, the runner-up in the $75,000 Jim's Orbit one year ago at Sam Houston Race Park appears to be rounding into his best form as a 4-year-old. The son of Too Much Bling was bred by Larry S. Huntsinger, out of the Global Mission mare Libbies Mission, returns to the stakes level after two wins this season for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen.

Owned by Michael P. Lyons, Clark O. Brewster and Montgomery Lair, Good Judgment has won five races to date and has been installed as the 2-1 morning-line favorite. Leading rider Stewart Elliott will guide the colt from post position four.

Trainer Bret Calhoun has two entrants in the Spirit of Texas: Gold Pilot and He's a Suitor. Gold Pilot, a son of My Golden Song is owned by Wayne Sanders and Larry Hirsch and was the winner of the 2020 Jim's Orbit.

Both he and Collinsworth Thoroughbred Racing LLC's He's a Suitor competed in last month's $75,000 H-Town Stakes, finishing fourth and fifth.

“Gold Pilot has worked well in the mornings, so it's a little frustrating to see how he's doing this year,” said Calhoun. “We'll run him with blinkers, which might help him focus. He's a Suitor might be more of a closing type. Just hoping for a good race from both.”

Layem Down Racing II's homebred Gunnerscelesticman ran second to Direct Dial in the $75,000 H-Town and merits consideration. Ernesto Valdez-Jiminez will ride the 5-year-old for trainer Teofilo Garcia, Jr.

The Spirit of Texas is carded as the fourth race of the evening with an approximate post time of 7:25 pm (CT) and will be followed by the next six features.

Direct Dial Leads the Field in the $100,000 Star of Texas

In recent years, it would be difficult to find a Texas-bred with a better stakes record than William S. Farish's homebred, Direct Dial. The 6-year-old son of Too Much Bling out of the Mineshaft mare Fast Find has been prominent in Texas with victories here in the 2018 Jim's Orbit, 2019 Spirit of Texas and most recently, a standout victory in last month's $75,000 H-Town Stakes. The 2018 Texas Thoroughbred Association (TTA) Horse of the Year dominated his six rivals in the seven furlong main track feature under the meet's leading rider, Stewart Elliott.

Conditioned by Asmussen, Direct Dial, who was honored as 2018 Texas Thoroughbred Association (TTA) Horse of the Year, will take on six rivals in the one mile $100,000 Star of Texas.

Elliott has the return call aboard Direct Dial, who drew post position two as the 4-5 morning line choice.

“He's just a cool horse,” said Elliott following the win in the H-Town on February 20. “I was confident the entire way and he made me feel that he was ready to go when I asked him.”

Direct Dial has won nine of his 26 career efforts with earnings of $430,237.

His rivals include Michael Grossman's Kenai Bob who exits a third-place finish in last month's $75,000 Houston Turf for trainer Francisco Bravo. The 5-year-old son of Shackleford rallied for the victory in a one-mile allowance on the main track here on January 30. Regular rider Ry Eikleberry will ride the bay gelding who posted a four furlong bullet work on March 21. Another notable runner is Blackhorse Farm LLC's Algebra, who finished third in the H-Town for trainer Danny Pish and jockey Lane Luzzi.

Competitive Group of Colts and Geldings Assembled for the $100,000 Groovy Stakes

The $100,000 Groovy Stakes features a field of nine colts and geldings squaring off at the distance of six furlongs.

Trainer Frank Lucarelli sent a string to Sam Houston Race Park this year and has been very pleased with the racing opportunities in Texas. His owners Chad and Josh, who reside in Washington, claimed Bobby Brinkley for $62,500 here on opening weekend. The son of Shanghai Bobby out of the City Zip mare Brinkley was bred by Douglas Scharbauer and made five starts in 2020 for trainer Bret Calhoun.

“He is really well-bred,” explained Lucarelli. “We wanted to claim some Texas-breds as my owners and I were looking to test the waters here and then at Lone Star Park.”

Reylu Gutierrez will ride the 2-1 favorite from the far outside post. He was aboard on February 26 when the dark bay gelding ran second in a mile main track allowance optional claiming prep.

“I think this is a wide-open race and like his draw and the fact that he is coming off a good effort at one mile,” added Lucarelli. “Rey is a very good rider; my owners and I are excited about this race.”

Calhoun will send out the winner and runner-up in last month's $75,000 Jim's Orbit. It was the first stakes victory for Stone Cafe, a of Stonesider, bred and owned by Scharbauer. Jockey Lindey Wade has the return call and will try to hold off the late charge of stablemate Dust Em with Ry Eikleberry once again on Saturday night. W.S. Farish's homebred Island Sun, who completed the trifecta in the Jim's Orbit, returns in his fifth stakes appearance for Asmussen and rider Stewart Elliott.

Compelling Turf Rivalry Continues in the $100,000 Richard King

A contentious field of nine turf specialists will compete in the $100,000 Richard King Stakes for 4-year-olds and upward at a mile and one-eighth on the Connally Turf Course.

On February 20, the $75,000 Houston Turf Stakes was expected to be another showdown between Redatory and morning line favorite Sunlit Song. However, the victory went to Moojab Jr owned by John L. Pierce, who had previously tested the waters against the two favorites before running a huge race for jockey Iram Diego and trainer Paul Duhon.

All three return on Saturday night with several other worthy turf runners to make the Richard King one of the most anticipated features on the Texas Champions Day card.

Sunlit Song, owned by Carolyn R. Barnett and Becky Harding, will break from post position five as the 6-5 morning-line favorite. Barnett bred the 6-year-old gelding by My Golden Song, who showed his affinity for the turf last season in Oklahoma, winning the Remington Park Green at odds of 13-1. He has finished in the top three in each of his last nine starts. Lindey Wade has the return call for trainer Mindy Willis. She reflected on his runner-up effort in the Houston Turf Stakes three weeks ago.

“You can't win them all,” stated Willis. “He came out of that race in great shape and his mind is on the game. All I can say is that whoever beats him will have to be really good!”

Trainer Paul Duhon will saddle Moojab Jr for owner John Pierce with Iram Diego looking to make another brilliant closing kick. Duhon credited the turf excellence of Redatory and Sunlit Song in his post-race interview after the 7-year-old won the Houston Turf.

“These are two great horses that we traded punches with, and we always got the worst of it,” said Duhon. “I just believed that if he got the right trip, we could turn things around.”

Redatory, owned and bred by James Wessel, is the defending champion in the Richard King. The 2020 Texas
Thoroughbred Association (TTA) Horse of the Year is trained by retired jockey Allen Dupuy and will be ridden by Rey Gutierrez.

Singapore Flash, a 5-year-old son of Shanghai Bobby, was impressive here on March 4 in a one-mile turf allowance. Owned by DARRS, Inc. and trained by Michael Stidham, the 5-year-old gelding will be ridden by Ry Eikleberry in his 11th turf start.

Happy Sailor Faces Seven Fillies in the $100,000 Bara Lass Stakes

A field of eight accredited Texas-bred fillies will compete at the distance of six furlongs in the $100,000 Bara Lass. Diamond W Racing Stable's Happy Sailor will make her stakes debut off back to back sprint victories this season at Sam Houston Race Park.

The daughter of Midshipman out of the El Corredor mare Forest Path was bred by Larry S. Huntsinger. Karen Jacks trains the bay filly, who will make her sixth career start as the 2-1 choice.

“We gave her some time off after Lone Star and she has run very well this year,” said Jacks, who will give a leg up to rider Iram Diego. “She's a really smart, mature filly and nothing seems to bother her.”

Wink Texas owned by Racing to the Cross LLC, has finished second to super star filly Star of the North, who won two stakes this season at Sam Houston Race Park, but was not eligible for the Bara Lass. Trainer Jason Meaux and rider Lindey Wade will reunite with the daughter of Too Much Bling. Douglas Scharbauer's homebred Mostly Distorted will also make her stakes debut under rider Ry Eikleberry.

Ima Discreet Lady Returns in the $100,000 San Jacinto Stakes

The second turf feature of the evening is the $100,000 San Jacinto Stakes for fillies and mares. It will be contested on the Connally Turf Course at the distance of a mile and one-sixteenth.

Ima Discreet Lady, who was very impressive in last month's $75,000 Miss Bluebonnet Turf Stakes, will take on seven rivals. Owned by Raymond Todd White and Duane Coker, the 5-year-old daughter of Discreet Cat out of the Too Much Bling mare Ima Three Bling has won eight of her 23 career starts. Versatile on both dirt and turf, she completed her 2020 campaign last September at Remington Park. Trainer Karl Broberg was hoping to get a prep for her earlier this meet, but the talented mare captured the Miss Bluebonnet in front-running fashion under Ry Eikleberry. He will ride the bay mare from post position four on Saturday, should she return to the turf.

“I'll flip a quarter” said trainer Karl Broberg of his final decision to run Ima Discreet Lady in the San Jacinto or the six-furlong Yellow Rose Stakes on the main track.

Miss Perfecta finished second to Ima Discreet Lady, returns and is now in the barn of Steve Asmussen. His first-call rider Stewart Elliott will pilot the 5-year-old mare by Run Away and Hide from the far outside post. The fast closing No Mas Tequila and rider Leandro Goncalves, who ran third in the Bluebonnet, will also return as will Corluna.

Shes Our Fastest Returns in the $100,000 Yellow Rose Stakes

The Texas Champions Day stakes action will conclude with the six furlong $100,000 Yellow Rose Stakes.

Shes Our Fastest owned by Mark Norman and Norman Stables LLC. will make her fifth start at Sam Houston Race Park for trainer Scott Gelner. The 6-year-old daughter of Oratory has won five stakes in Texas and Louisiana, including the 2019 Texas Rose Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park. She tested the waters in this year's Grade 3 Houston Ladies Classic and tops the field in earnings with $349,577 in her 31 lifetime starts.

“Six furlongs is her best distance,” said Gelner. “We took a shot in the Ladies Classic and faced really tough fillies. She has stayed at Sam Houston all season; looking forward to running on Saturday.”

2019 Bara Lass winner Ima Discreet Lady is a notable contender should trainer Karl Broberg opt for the main track. In addition, De Luca and Sons Stable's Boerne ships in for trainer Robertino Diodoro. The 4-year-old filly by Fed Biz will make her Sam Houston Race Park debut under rider Ty Kennedy. Gee She Sparkles who competed in the Miss Bluebonnet on the turf, returns to the main track for Danny Pish. The 4-year-old filly will be ridden by Danny Sorenson.

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Star Of The North, Direct Dial Among Texas Preview Night Winners At Sam Houston

Sam Houston Race Park hosted Texas Preview on Saturday evening, one week later than originally planned. The winter storm that rocked Texas with sub-freezing temperatures and icy road conditions forced the cancelation of the entire week of racing at the northwest Houston racetrack. However, a very exciting night of stakes action was on display Saturday, beginning with the $75,000 Two Altazano and continuing with the $75,000 Miss Bluebonnet Turf;  $75,000 H-Town Stakes; $75,000 Houston Turf and $75,000 Jim's Orbit.

The annual event serves as a preview for Texas Champions Day, which will take place on Saturday, March 20. Purses for each of the seven Champions Day stakes showcasing the established and rising stars of the Texas Thoroughbred industry have been boosted to $100,000 this year.

Star of the North Shines in the $75,000 Two Altazano
After impressing in her Sam Houston debut last month, Star of the North returned to the winner's circle for another stakes victory in the $75,000 Two Altazano on Saturday night. The flashy filly battled for an early lead before drawing off to win by over seven lengths, her largest margin of victory to date.

The 3-year-old became the first stakes winner for her sire, The Hunk, in her previous race at Sam Houston, the Darby's Daughter for Texas-sired fillies. She was bred by Eureka Thoroughbred Farm, out of Always a Star (IRE), by Danehill. Trainer Francisco Bravo has conditioned the filly in all five of her starts for owner Michael Grossman.

Jockey Ry Eikleberry has been aboard for all five starts and was very impressed with her effort tonight.

“She has a ton of natural speed,” he stated. “I knew there were two other speed horses to her outside, so my plan was to just sit and ask her when I needed. She just pulled me so easily!”

Saturday's performance was the third stakes victory for Star of the North and her fourth win in five career starts. The Minnesota-bred filly campaigned at Canterbury Park last summer, where Bravo is a member of the track's Hall of Fame. She finished third in her debut but returned to break her maiden and win the Northern Lights Debutante Stakes during the Minnesota Festival of Champions.

“I was concerned that she would have to cover added distance from her last win,” said Bravo. “But it looked like her previous race set her up very well.”

Star of the North ($2.80) finished the six-furlong dirt sprint in 1:11.55 as the heavy post-time favorite. She has won her last four races by a combined 18 lengths.  She will remain at Sam Houston Race Park and compete in the Bara Lass on Texas Champions Day, according to her owner.

In a repeat of the Darby's Daughter, Wink Texas and jockey Lindey Wade completed the exacta behind Star of the North, holding off third-place finisher Thatsalotofbling and Lane Luzzi by a neck.

The Texas Thoroughbred Association sponsors the Clarence Scharbauer Jr. Texas Stallion Stakes Series (TSSS), a set of races for progeny of nominated Texas-based stallions. The series features three sets of races, each split into two divisions (colts/geldings and fillies) for a purse of $75,000 per division. The race honors Two Altazano who won the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks in 1994. The accomplished mare, owned by the late Harold V. Goodman, also captured the 1994 Sam Houston Oaks with Hall of Fame jockey Pat Day in the saddle.

Ima Discreet Lady Returns to Winner's Circle in the $75,000 Miss Bluebonnet Turf Stakes
Saturday night's action continued with a field of 12 fillies and mares competing at one mile on the Connally Turf  Course in the $75,000 Miss Bluebonnet Turf Stakes.

Ima Discreet Lady had a very notable victory off the layoff for trainer Karl Broberg. The 5-year-old daughter of Discreet Cat out of the Too Much Bling mare Ima Three Blinger, was making her first start since September 12 at Remington Park. Broberg had tried to get a prep race for her prior to the Miss Bluebonnet, but several races were taken off the turf due to rain. It turned out that his talented mare was up to the task as topped a contentious field tonight with confidently handling by Ry Eikleberry. He guided her to the lead, covering the first quarter mile in :24.16 and the half-mile in :49.05. She got clear in the stretch and drew off by 4 ½ lengths in a final time of  1:38.04 over the firm turf course.

“To be honest, Karl doesn't give me very many instructions,” said Eikleberry. “I read the form and knew that the four (Miss Perfecta) had speed. We dueled briefly, but my mare was up for the challenge and we played catch me if you can.” Broberg is widely known for his claiming prowess, but  he joined forces with owners Raymond Todd White and Duane Coker in purchasing the daughter of Discreet Cat out of the Too Much Bling mare Ima Three Blinger for $38,000 in the 2018 TTA in Training 2-Year-old Sale. She had won seven career races prior to tonight's victory, including the 2019 Bara Lass at Sam Houston Race Park.

“She ran big tonight,” said Broberg by telephone following the victory. “I trained her dam whose career was cut short due to a bowed tendon. I hoped this mare would have success and credit Todd and Duane for their support.”

Miss Perfecta finished second under Ty Kennedy for trainer Jose Silva, Jr, followed by fast closing No Mas Tequila and rider Leandro Goncalves.  Empressive Reward, Shes Our Fastest, Gee She Sparkles, Averys Miss, Jewel Street, Heavenly Rhythm, Sardabling, Herbs Love and Corluna completed the order of finish.

Ima Discreet Lady, sent off as the  second choice in the wagering, paid $9.20 for the win. She has won eight of her 23 starts, earning $299,915 to date.

Direct Dial Showed His Championship Form in the $75,000 H-Town Stakes
Some of the most durable Texas veterans had to take a backseat to William S. Farish's homebred, Direct Dial  this evening in the $75,000 H-Town Stakes. The 2018 Texas Thoroughbred Association (TTA) Horse of the Year dominated his six rivals in the seven furlong main track feature under the meet's leading rider, Stewart Elliott.

The son of Too Much Bling won the 2018 Jim's Orbit here and has been a solid competitor in stakes competition at each of the Texas racetracks.

Elliott patiently guided the handsome roan 6-year-old horse behind the early leader and 37-1 longshot Gunnerselesticman, who covered the first quarter-mile in :22.85. He drew clear at the top of the stretch and closed for the victory in a final time of 1.23.76.

“He's just a cool horse,” said Elliott. “I was confident the entire way and made me feel that he was ready to go when I asked him.”

This was the ninth win from 25 career efforts for Direct Dial ($3.00) who topped the $400,000 earning mark tonight for his Hall of Fame conditioner.

“He is Texas,” stated Asmussen, who was at Oaklawn Park today and left the saddling duties to longtime assistant Pablo Ocampo. “He will return on Texas Champions Day.”

Gunnerselesticman held on for the runner-up spot with Ernesto Valdez-Jiminez in the saddle. Blackhorse Farm LLC's Algebra, who had come off the pace to win his last two allowance races for trainer Danny Pish, ran third under jockey Lane Luzzi. Gold Pilot, He's a Suitor, Trumps Revenge and Bubba Bling followed.

Moojab Jr Scores the Upset in the $75,000 Houston Turf Stakes
The second turf feature of Texas Champions Preview Night was the $75,000 Houston Turf Stakes, contested at a mile and one sixteenth on the Connally Turf Course. On paper and according to the betting public, it looked like another showdown between 2020 TTA Horse of the Year Redatory and morning line favorite is Sunlit Song.

However, the victory went to Moojab Jr owned by John L. Pierce, who had tested the waters against the two favorites and ran a huge race for jockey Iram Diego and trainer Paul Duhon.  The 7-year-old gelding by Moojab was unhurried in the early stages with Redatory and Kenai Bob dueling in fractions of :24.71 and :48.82. Moojab Jr was fourth as the field approached the final turn, with Sunlit Song appearing to have the best position. Diego guided his mount to the inside and he surged clear by a head in a final time of 1:44.77.

“It was a perfect trip,” said Diego. “Paul has done so well with this horse.

The post-race interview was very entertaining when Pierce stepped up to the microphone.

“We claimed this horse,” Pierce explained. “Paul really liked him, but I didn't want a horse this old. He had a history of bleeding, but once we found out why, we took care of him and Paul did a great job. I've probably fired him more than George Steinbrenner fired Billy Martin, but this win is really special!”

Duhon credited the turf excellence of Redatory and Sunlit Song.

“These are two great horses that we traded punches with, and we always got the worst of it,” said Duhon. “I just believed that if he got the right trip, we could turn things around.”

Moojab B rewarded his supporters with a win payout of $23.80 as he won his eighth career race from 34 starts. Sunlit Song ran second under Lindey Wade, followed by Kenai Bo and Redatory for his owner and breeder James Wessel. Mucho Dinero, Fando and John Dough completed the order of finish.

Stone Cafe Earns First Career Stakes Win in the $75,000 Jim's Orbit
Trainer Bret Calhoun swept the exacta in the final stake of the Texas Preview Night card, led by Stone Cafe, a 3-year-old son of Stonesider who notched his first career stakes win in the $75,000 Jim's Orbit.

The Texas-bred gelding is owned and bred by Douglas Scharbauer, out of Santacafe, by Early Flyer.

Jockey Lindey Wade and Stone Cafe ($7.00) stalked the pace early before making a five-wide move around the turn and swinging to the lead in the stretch to win by a length. The final time for the six-furlong sprint on the fast dirt track was 1:12.15.

“I was really confident tonight,” said Wade. “In the last stakes, Carbon Stryker got the jump on us.  I knew if I could leave running and put myself in a close position and with a little more distance, that we had a real good shot. It all worked out!”

Stone Cafe debuted at Lone Star and broke his maiden at Remington before coming to Sam Houston, where he finished second in his first career stakes race, the Mr. Dandy Division of the Texas Stallion Stakes for 3-year-olds in January.

Wade and Stone Cafe had to fend off late-closing stablemate Dust Em, who finished second with Ry Eikleberry aboard. Stewart Elliot and Island Sun held on for third place for trainer Steve Asmussen. Post-time favorite Carbon Stryker, who defeated Stone Cafe in the My Dandy Stakes in January, broke out at the start and finished fifth.

Calhoun has won three previous editions of the Jim's Orbit, including last year's race with Gold Pilot, who was honored as TTA Champion 3-Year-old Colt.

The Texas Thoroughbred Association sponsors the Clarence Scharbauer Jr. Texas Stallion Stakes Series (TSSS), a set of races for progeny of nominated Texas-based stallions. The series features three sets of races, each split into two divisions (colts/geldings and fillies) for a purse of $75,000 per division. In 2005, the Texas Thoroughbred Association named the colts and gelding division of the Texas Stallion Stakes for Jim's Orbit, who won the Grade 2 Ohio Derby prior to competing in the 1988 Kentucky Derby.

Live racing resumes on Wednesday, March 3 and continues through Saturday, April 3.

Sam Houston Race Park is Houston's premier racing and entertainment facility, located just 15 miles from downtown Houston.  The Park offers a variety of attractions including a Suite Level featuring luxurious suites overlooking the racetrack, The Pavilion Centre, and award-winning dining options at the Winner's Circle Restaurant and the Jockey Club.  For more information on upcoming live racing, shows, events and tickets, please visit www.shrp.com.

The post Star Of The North, Direct Dial Among Texas Preview Night Winners At Sam Houston appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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