Calhoun has strong hand for Texas Thoroughbred Futurity series

Galactica, who owns the highest Beyer Speed Figure among 2-year-olds in North America, and Patrona Margarita, a half-sister to near-millionaire Texas Chrome, are both targeting stakes races at Lone Star Park, trainer Bret Calhoun said Wednesday.

Galactica earned an 89 Beyer on July 4, cruising to a 4 1/4-length win in a maiden special weight for statebreds at Lone Star. He is now on deck for the $100,000 colts-and-geldings division of the Texas Thoroughbred Futurity on July 22. On the same card, Patrona Margarita, who won her debut June 9 at Churchill Downs, is targeting the $100,000 fillies division of the Texas Thoroughbred Futurity.

Calhoun said Brian Hernandez Jr. will be in to ride both horses. The races are among four stakes on the annual Stars of Texas program. Purses for the stakes total $300,000.

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Galactica was making his second career start in the maiden race, and he covered five furlongs in a quick 57.60 seconds. He is a February foal by Uncle Abbie and was a $52,000 purchase during a sale of 2-year-olds in training put on by the Texas Thoroughbred Association in April.

“We liked him off his breeze,” said Calhoun, who trains Galactica for Carl Moore and Brad Grady. “It wasn’t a blazing-fast time, but he worked very well, and he looked great moving. Did it extremely easy and galloped out strong.”

Patrona Margarita has made one start since defeating open company in her debut. She finished a troubled eighth last out in the $100,000 Debutante on July 30 at Churchill.

“She had a terrible trip,” Calhoun said. “She got stopped hard in the turn. That was it. I really feel she would have been in the top three in the Debutante.”

Patrona Margarita is a daughter of Special Rate who races for her breeder, Craig Upham.

The Texas Thoroughbred Futurity divisions will be drawn Saturday.

◗ Horses nearing the end of their racing careers can be paraded before prospective buyers in the Lone Star Park paddock area during the third annual Roses to Ribbons Old Fashioned Horse Fair at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Horses are sold privately. For more information, contact the Texas Thoroughbred Association.