Direct Dial takes fourth consecutive Texas-bred stakes win

Direct Dial won his fourth consecutive Texas-bred stakes Saturday night when he fought off a challenge from Kenai Bob and went on to a 1 1/4-length win in the $100,000 Star of Texas at Sam Houston Race Park.

The race was one of seven stakes on the annual Texas Champions Day. Each of the races had a purse of $100,000 and each was restricted to horses bred in Texas.

Direct Dial ($3.20) was facing 4-year-olds and up at a mile and was content to sit just off leader Trumps Revenge through an opening quarter in 24.15 seconds. The eventual winner took the lead after a half-mile in 48.06 and continued to maintain the advantage while pressured by Kenai Bob through six furlongs in 1:13.11.

The pair continued on in the stretch, with Direct Dial inching clear of his foe in the later stages. The winner covered the distance on a fast track in 1:38.10.

It was a rare two-turn start for the son of Too Much Bling.

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“When it comes down to it, he’s game,” winning rider Stewart Elliott said in a post-race interview broadcast by Sam Houston. “He wants to win. He’s just a cool horse.”

Will Farish bred and owns Direct Dial, who is trained by Steve Asmussen. The 2018 Texas-bred of the Year is making a bid for the 2021 title as he was winning his second straight stakes of the year. Direct Dial won the $75,000 H-Town in February at Sam Houston. His other Texas-bred stakes wins during this current streak are the Spirit of Texas and Wayne Hanks Memorial, both last summer at Lone Star Park.

Direct Dial earned $60,000 for the win in the Star of Texas to improve his career record to 10 for 27 for earnings of $490,237. Overall, he has won eight stakes races during his career.

Sunlit Song overcomes trouble

Sunlit Song ($4.20) overcame notable trouble to win the Richard King for 4-year-olds and up on turf by three-quarters of a length over Singapore Flash.

The winner broke through the starting gate prior to the beginning of the race, and was immediately collected by the outrider.

Sunlit Song was reloaded and when the race started, he stumbled badly out of the gate before settling off fractions of 25.01 seconds for the opening quarter, 50.10 for the half-mile, and 1:14.80 for six furlongs in the 1 1/8-mile race. In the stretch, Sunlit Song was swung out and ran down the leaders, covering the distance on firm ground in 1:51.88.

“This horse overcame every obstacle tonight,” winning rider Lindey Wade said in an interview from Sam Houston. “I am so proud of him.”

Mindy Willis trains Sunlit Song for Carolyn Barnett and Becky Harding. The son of My Golden Song was bred by Barnett.

* The first stakes on the card featured Gunnerscelesticman ($14.60) winning the Spirit of Texas for 4-year-olds and up by two lengths over Gold Pilot. The winner ran fractions of 22.21 seconds for the opening quarter and 45.39 for the half-mile before covering six furlongs on a fast track in 1:10.71. Ernesto Valdez-Jiminez was aboard for trainer Teofilo Garcia Jr. Layem Down Racing II, bred and owns the son of Celestic Night.

*Silence d’Oro ($6.40) fended off a bid from Bobby Brinkley to win the Groovy for 3-year-olds by 1 1/2 lengths. The winner set fractions of 22.23 for the opening quarter and 45.33 for the half-mile and covered six furlongs in 1:10.99. Jose Alvarez was aboard for trainer Dallas Keen. The son of Silentio races for his breeder, Epona Thoroughbreds. “He’s the first foal by that stallion, Silentio,” Keen said in an interview broadcast by Sam Houston.

* Happy Sailor ($7.20) tracked the pace before going on to a six and a half length win over Mostly Distorted in the Bara Lass for 3-year-old fillies. The winner covered six furlongs in 1:11.90. Iram Diego was aboard Happy Sailor for Diamond W Racing and trainer Karen Jacks. Happy Sailor is a daughter of Midshipman who was bred by Larry Huntsinger.

* Huntsinger also is the breeder of Ima Discreet Lady ($4.80), who won the Yellow Rose for fillies and mares for the second year in a row. She was a neck winner over Shes Our Fastest, while covering six furlongs in 1:10.94. Ry Eikleberry was aboard for trainer Karl Broberg. The daughter of Discreet Cat races for Raymond Todd White and Duane Coker.

* Discreet Smile ($7.60) won the San Jacinto for fillies and mares on turf by a head in her first start in more than a year. No Mas Tequila was second in the race. Discreet Smile covered the 1 1/16 miles on firm ground in 1:45.66. Sophie Doyle was aboard the winner for trainer Larry Stroope. Sylvia Baird bred and owns Discreet Smile, who is a daughter of Discreet Cat.

* Handle on the 11-race card from all sources was more than $2.8 million, according to the race charts at Sam Houston.