Joe Move looks to wire

In some ways, Joe Move will be racing against himself Saturday night at Lone Star Park when he starts in a $35,000 five-furlong turf allowance. He set a course record at the distance last July, when he won a $50,000 optional claimer in a blazing 55 seconds. If he were to match that performance Saturday, Joe Move would be tough to contain in a six-horse field that also includes multiple stakes winner Orphan Brigade.

The allowance is a first look at horses eyeing the $50,000 Lone Star Park Turf Sprint on July 4. Joe Move won the race a year ago, then came back to set the course record July 24. He will break from post 3 on Saturday and figures to once again be winging it on the front end under Christine Itschner. Richard Bird bred and owns Joe Move, who enters the allowance off a runner-up finish in a $25,000 optional claiming turf sprint at Retama Park on Jan. 8.

Orphan Bridgade also comes in fresh, as the allowance will be his first start since a five-length romp in a $50,000 claiming sprint on the main track Feb. 6 at Fair Grounds. He has won 3 of 7 starts over the Lone Star turf. Carlos Gonzalez has the mount on Orphan Brigade for trainer Bret Calhoun.

Others making up the field include Charles Edwin, a strong closer who could get a perfect setup on account of the presence of front-runners K D King, Orphan Brigade, and Joe Move.