Lone Star Cowboy flourishing in Indiana

Lone Star Cowboy, an easy winner in his first start locally, takes on eight other 2-year-old Indiana-breds in the $70,000 Indiana Futurity at Hoosier Park on Sunday.

Trained by Joe Petalino, Lone Star Cowboy had been campaigned earlier in the summer at Lone Star Park, where he won his maiden on June 12 and ran second in the July 26 Middleground, beaten three lengths.

Petalino then took Lone Star Cowboy to Remington Park to run in the Clever Trevor. He chased very quick opening fractions in that event and faded.

Petalino discovered a lung infection and expected Lone Star Cowboy to run much better when he brought him to Hoosier on Sept. 13 for the Hillsdale, his first attempt against statebreds. He did not disappoint, winning by five lengths while coming from just off the pace. Orlando Mojica retains the mount.

Lucky Chuck comes into the Indiana Futurity off a third-place finish in the Hillsdale to Lone Star Cowboy. He has since turned in two bullet works at Turfway Park for trainer David Pate and looks primed to give a top effort Sunday.

Lucky Chuck also has shown the ability to come from off the pace and should do well in this speed-laden field. Ben Creed will ride for the first time.

Also in the field are You already Know, Our Devil's Halo, Spiritual Order, Ms. Red Hawk, Gunner, and the entry of Tuerto and Prohibitive.