Calhoun looking for trifecta sweep in Got Koko Stakes

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas – The $65,000 Got Koko division of the Texas Stallion Stakes at Lone Star Park on Saturday got a high-profile surprise last week when Grade 2 winner Patrona Margarita turned up in the entry box.

“This wasn’t our original plan to go in there,” said trainer Bret Calhoun. “When the race didn’t fill the first couple of times, it became an option for us.”

The Got Koko is a one-mile race for 3-year-old fillies by eligible stallions. The race drew a field of five, including Howboutthiscowgirl, who is shooting for a sweep of the Texas Stallion Stakes series after winning her divisions at Retama Park and Sam Houston.

Calhoun also trains Howboutthiscowgirl and a third entrant, Flight Queen. He has won six of the 14 runnings of this division of the Texas Stallion Stakes.

Texas Stallion Stakes (Race 3)

KEY CONTENDERS

Patrona Margarita, by Special Rate
Last 3 Beyers: 45-74-79

◗ She reached a pinnacle last year at 2 when she won the Grade 2 Pocahontas at Churchill Downs for breeder and owner Craig Upham.

“It was an extremely impressive race,” Calhoun said. “I thought she really dominated the race and handled that group very well.”

◗ Patrona Margarita also made her most recent start at Churchill, finishing 12th in the Kentucky Oaks on May 4.

“The crowd, the walkover was too much for her,” Calhoun said. “She washed out, came apart mentally.”

It was a rare off-the-board finish for Patrona Margarita, who earlier this year ran third in the Grade 1 Ashland at Keeneland and fourth in the Grade 2 Rachel Alexandra at Fair Grounds – races won by eventual Kentucky Oaks heroine Monomoy Girl.

◗ Patrona Margarita, a half-sister to millionaire Texas Chrome, will break from post 4 under Jamie Theriot.

Howboutthiscowgirl, by My Golden Song
Last 3 Beyers: 73-66-42

◗ She won the Two Altazano division of the Texas Stallion Stakes last out at Sam Houston, wiring the field in the six-furlong race March 17. Her other stakes win came at the same distance in a Texas Stallion Stakes division last November at Retama.

“A mile may not be her best distance, but just on class, I think she fits very well,” said Calhoun, who trains Howboutthiscowgirl for breeder Doug Scharbauer. “She’s a filly that’s been very, very consistent in that division, and we expect more of the same.”

◗ Lindey Wade has the mount from post 3.

Flight Queen, by Early Flyer
Last 3 Beyers: 72-59-53

◗ She is making her first start since Dec. 1, when she won at two turns in a $75,000 optional-claiming race at Remington Park. She is a half-sister to two-turn stakes winners Worldventurer and More Than Most.

“I think she’s very good at two turns,” said Calhoun, who trains the homebred for Scharbauer. “It’s unfortunate we were unable to get a prep race for her. It’s her first race in a while, so obviously it’s a little bit of a disadvantage, but I think we’ve got her pretty ready.”

◗ Iram Diego has the mount from post 5.