Lethal Strike makes stakes debut in Texas Classic Futurity

Sleepy Gilbreath knows how to bring out the best in a talented Quarter Horse as the man who has trained a host of champions, from Refrigerator to Ochoa. He appears to have another quality runner on his hands in Lethal Strike, who will make his stakes debut Saturday night at Lone Star Park in the Grade 1, $860,519 Texas Classic Futurity.

“We think he’s a really, really nice colt,” said Gilbreath, who trains the horse for In Ca Hoots Racing.

The Texas Classic is the richest race in the state, and it will share a card with the Grade 1, $291,868 Texas Classic Derby led by millionaire Houdini. The stakes close out the Quarter Horse meet at Lone Star.

TEXAS CLASSIC FUTURITY (RACE 9)

KEY CONTENDERS

Lethal Strike

◗ He was a neck winner of his Oct. 25 trial, and his time of 19.60 seconds for the 400 yards was the second-fastest qualifying time for the Texas Classic Futurity.

“It seems like he’s come back off that race really good,” Gilbreath said. “I thought he ran a perfect race. He kind of scrambled a little away from the gate and when he got his feet under him, he ran big.”

◗ Lethal Strike is 2 for 3, with his lone defeat a third-place finish in an All American Futurity trial in his debut Aug. 14. He was beaten a neck after a less-than-ideal start.

◗ Lethal Strike will break from post 5, under Raul Gutierrez.

“I like the middle of the racetrack, if we can just stay out of traffic,” said Gilbreath.

Cc Kachina Eagle

◗ She was the fastest Texas Classic qualifier from 12 trials, winning her 400-yard heat in 19.59 seconds. Cc Kachina Eagle cruised by 1 1/4 lengths.

◗ Cc Kachina Eagle will break from post 8, under Jorge Bourdieu.

TEXAS CLASSIC DERBY (RACE 8)

KEY CONTENDER

Houdini

◗ He was the second-fastest qualifier for the Texas Classic Derby following a near two-month layoff Oct. 24.

◗ The winner of the Rainbow Derby in July, he is the class of the field as a Grade 1 winner of $1,099,238.

◗ Martha Claussen of the American Quarter Horse Association will be joined by Lone Star representatives Diantha Brazzell and John Lies for a free onsite handicapping seminar before the races. Claussen will also be available throughout the night to answer questions about playing Quarter Horses.