Gold Coyote successfully shortens up

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Gold Coyote relished the return to sprinting on Saturday, when he powered to a 4 1/2-length win over Aggies Rule in the $50,000 Carter McGregor Jr. Memorial Stakes at Lone Star Park. It was another three lengths back in third to pacesetter Snuck By.

Gold Coyote ($3.80) was cutting back from 1 1/16 miles to six furlongs for the Carter McGregor. He was bumped at the start but settled in along the rail, sitting just off Snuck By through an opening quarter in 22.25 seconds.

Midway on the turn, Gold Coyote moved to the lead, taking the field through a half-mile in 45.18 seconds. He then began to open up on his rivals at the top of the stretch, and went on to cover the distance on a fast track in 1:10.11.

"We will definitely keep him sprinting from here on out," said Bret Calhoun, who trains Gold Coyote for his owner and breeder, Clarence Scharbauer Jr.

Bobby Walker Jr. rode Gold Coyote to his fifth winin 10 starts. The horse came into the race off a second-place finish in a division of the $125,000 Texas Stallion Stakes at Lone Star on May 10. Gold Coyote earned $30,000 for the win to increase his bankroll to $234,950.