Lone Star Park: Calhoun and Berry combine to sweep TTA futurity doubleheader

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Lil Cherokee and Shocktime both turned in dramatic finishes in their $100,000 divisions of the Texas Thoroughbred Association Sales Futurity to give trainer Bret Calhoun and jockey Cliff Berry a sweep of the series Saturday at Lone Star Park.

Lil Cherokee ($3.80) fought off Field Goal to win the TTA Sales Futurity colts and geldings division by a half-length, while Shocktime ($3.60) cruised by 12 3/4 lengths over Magic Moondust in the fillies division. Calhoun said plans for both horses are yet to be determined, but they will be considered for a pair of turf stakes at Louisiana Downs on June 25.

“I’ll have to talk to the owners about it,” he said. “I don’t know if we would do that or not. It’s there. It’s an option.”

Lil Cherokee took pace pressure through fractions of 22.72 seconds for the opening quarter and 46.65 for the half-mile before covering the five furlongs on a track rated fast in 58.83 seconds. It was the second win in two starts for Lil Cherokee, who won a maiden special weight at Lone Star on May 12.

“He’s a really, really smart horse,” Berry said. “He’s one that just loads up in the gate like there’s nothing to it, and when they kick it, he goes.”

Shocktime jumped out to the lead at the break in the TTA Sales Futurity fillies division, and was up by a length through an opening quarter in 22.14 seconds. She proceeded to increase her advantage at each subsequent call, winning in 58.61.

“She was very quick, very professional, and went about her business today,” said Calhoun, who has now won four runnings of the fillies division of the TTA Sales Futurity.

His other winners have been with Jazz Lady (2002); Maileys Cat (2007); and Tin Top Cat (2009). Lil Cherokee gave Calhoun his third win in the colts and geldings division of the TTA, his first coming win coming with Next Bandit (2003) and his second with Be a Resident (2006).

Shocktime races for the partnership of Wayne Sanders and Larry Hirsch.

Lil Cherokee is owned by his breeder, Ed Few. Earlier in the afternoon, Few was honored with a lifetime achievement award from the Texas Thoroughbred Association.

“It’s been a good day,” said Few.

Lil Cherokee is a half-brother to the Few-bred stakes winners Be A Resident and Valid Lil. Through the years, Few has bred or owned five Texas-bred champions. The TTA held a luncheon Saturday at Lone Star.