Asmussen prepares two for Lone Star Derby
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Galloping Gulch will make his next start in the Grade 3, $400,000 Lone Star Derby following a recent allowance win at Lone Star Park, said his trainer, Steve Asmussen.
Asmussen also has Uno Mas pointing for the Lone Star Derby. Other early probables for the 1 1/16-mile race on May 9 include Kelly Leak, the winner of the $800,000 Sunland Park Derby, and Terrain, who was third in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby.
Galloping Gulch is out of the mare Regala Di Trieste, who is a half-sister to top Kentucky Derby contender Pioneerof the Nile. Galloping Gulch won a first-level allowance at Lone Star April 24. He closed from eight lengths back for a neck win, and covered the mile in a solid time of 1:38.49. It was the second win in the horse's last three starts, and his first at two turns.
Galloping Gulch races for his breeder, Zayat Stables, which also owns and bred Pioneerof the Nile. In his last start, Pioneerof the Nile won the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby.
Uno Mas last raced at Oaklawn Park, closing for second to wire-to-wire winner Dance Caller in the $75,000 Northern Spur on April 11. Earlier this year, Uno Mas won a first-level allowance over Friesan Fire, the eventual Louisiana Derby winner and a top contender Saturday in the Kentucky Derby.
Asmussen may have pair for USA
Asmussen trainees Southern Region and Har D Boy put on a show in last Saturday's $50,000 Grand Prairie Turf Challenge. Southern Region set the pace in the one-mile race and held for a nose win over his late-charging stablemate Har D Boy. The rematch could come later this month at Lone Star.
"We'll probably point them both to the USA," said Asmussen.
The USA, a $100,000 turf race for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles, will be run on May 25.
Bob Zollars, who co-owns Har D Boy as well as Uno Mas, split his time last Saturday between Lone Star and the Dallas Mavericks playoff game across town. He saw two quarters of NBA basketball live, and all four quarters of Har D Boy's race in the Turf Challenge.