Lone Star Park: Fiftyshadesofgold eyes Debutante at Churchill Downs

Fiftyshadesofgold, a 2-year-old filly who romped by 10 lengths in a maiden special weight at Lone Star Park on May 24, will likely make her next start in the $100,000-added Debutante at Churchill Downs on June 22, trainer Bret Calhoun said.

“We’ve shipped her to Churchill,” Calhoun said.

Calhoun said Fiftyshadesofgold debuted in Texas because of her strong ties to the state. She races for her breeder, Clarence Scharbauer, the owner of Valor Farm in Pilot Point, Texas, whose family raced the 1988 Horse of the Year, Alysheba. Fifthyshadesofgold covered five furlongs in a blazing 57.76 seconds in her debut, and for the effort earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 77.

“We’ve been pretty high on her for quite a while,” Calhoun said. “She’s a tremendous specimen, physically and mentally. She has a lot of talent and has a chance to be a top filly.”

Fiftyshadesofgold is by My Golden Song, a son of Unbridled’s Song who stands at Valor Farm. She is from the female family of Alysheba, as her fourth dam, Bel Sheba, produced the 1987 Kentucky Derby winner. Fiftyshadesofgold is a half-sister to Sword Trick, a three-time stakes winner, and Tastefullyxcessive, a stakes winner to run Sunday at Lone Star.