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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