Gold Coyote impresses in sprint

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Gold Coyote, in the absence of a sidelined Mystery Classic, established himself as the top Texas-bred sprinter in training last Saturday with his authoritative win over older horses in the $50,000 Carter McGregor Jr. Memorial at Lone Star Park.

He won the Texas-bred sprint by 4 1/2 lengths and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 96. With the win, Gold Coyote also kicked off what is an important week for trainer Bret Calhoun's arsenal of sprinters.

Mr. Nightlinger, a multiple graded stakes winner on turf, gave Calhoun another win in an allowance Wednesday at Churchill Downs.

Calhoun said Sumfun is on deck for the $50,000 Temperence Hill at Louisiana Downs on Saturday, while Orphan Brigade is in the midst of preparations for the $50,000 Lone Star Park Turf Sprint on July 5. Euroears, a top-ranked, undefeated sprinter who is sidelined, is doing well and could return to light training on Sept. 1, Calhoun said.

But right now, the buzz in Texas is about Gold Coyote. He raced close to a quick pace in the Carter McGregor and opened up on a nice field of older horses in the stretch. Gold Coyote covered six furlongs in 1:10 under Bobby Walker Jr. He was cutting back from 1 1/16 miles for the Carter McGregor and will now remain at sprint distances, Calhoun said.

"He ran an impressive race," he said.

Calhoun said Gold Coyote will be pointed next for the $50,000 Harold V. Goodman Memorial Stakes at Lone Star on July 12. The 6 1/2-furlong race is restricted to 3-year-olds bred in Texas. Down the road, there is a chance Gold Coyote could try turf in the $50,000 Watson Macmanus Memorial at Retama Park on Oct. 4, Calhoun said. The five-furlong race also is restricted to 3-year-olds bred in Texas.

"But we really haven't looked past this meet with him," said Calhoun, who trains Gold Coyote for his breeder, Clarence Scharbauer Jr.

Gold Coyote was one of five winners Calhoun saddled at Lone Star on Saturday.

Cape Time eyeing Alysheba

Cape Time is one of several horses trainer Chris Hartman has pointing for upcoming stakes at either Lone Star, Louisiana Downs, or SunRay Park in Farmington, N.M. Cape Time is back from SunRay after winning the $50,000 Casino at a mile there June 8 and is being seriously considered for a start in the $75,000 Alysheba Breeders' Cup at Lone Star, Hartman said. The one-mile race for 3-year-olds will be run June 28.

A week later, Hartman plans to run Fearless Anthony in the Lone Star Park Turf Sprint on July 5. The horse won a $50,000 optional claimer on the grass here June 1 and was flattered Sunday when the runner-up from the race, Gold Wonder, came back in his next start to capture a highly rated $60,000 optional claimer on turf at Lone Star.

Hartman said One Lucky Buck, winner of the $100,000 Sunland Park Handicap in April, is scheduled to make his next start in the $100,000 San Juan County Commissioners Handicap at 1 1/8 miles at SunRay on June 29.

Hartman's other upcoming stakes starter is Wind Water, the winner of the $50,000 Ford Express at Lone Star in May who is the probable favorite Saturday in the Temperence Hill at Louisiana Downs. Ken Tohill has the mount on Wind Water.

Berry out of town Saturday

Cliff Berry, who is the leading rider at Lone Star, will be at Louisiana Downs on Saturday for a couple of stakes engagements, according to his agent, Richard McNaughton. Berry is scheduled to ride Euphony in the $50,000 Little Treasure and Pursue a Dream in the $50,000 Pair of Deuces.

* Aronia will be shooting for her third straight win Friday night when she starts in the featured ninth race, a second-level allowance sprint for fillies and mares. The six-furlong race also drew the stakes-placed Surfboard and Finger Lakes invader Scared Money.