Lone Star Park: Rubber match between rivals Lydia's Last Step, Coyote Legend

Lydia’s Last Step and Coyote Legend have been frequent rivals this meet at Lone Star Park. Lydia’s Last Step won the Premiere over Coyote Legend on opening night April 14, while Coyote Legend turned the tables a month later in a turf allowance. Saturday, the pair get a chance to settle the score. They will meet in the $75,000 Assault, one of four restricted stakes worth $325,000 on the Stars of Texas Day card at Lone Star Park.

Lydia’s Last Step could go favored in the Assault, a 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds and up bred in Texas. In his most recent start, he was fourth in a deep field for the Grade 3 Lone Star Park Handicap on May 30.

“I thought he probably ran the race of his life,” said J.R. Caldwell, who trains Lydia’s Last Step. “Awesome Gem went on to run second in the Cornhusker. Flat Out won the Suburban. There were horses with a lot of credentials in that race, and to run a competitive race with them really said a lot for our horse. He’s come out of it good. We gave him plenty of time between races, and I expect a good race from him.”

Lydia’s Last Step earned a Beyer Figure of 96, which is the best number in the Assault.

Coyote Legend is moving back to dirt, the surface of his six stakes wins, after a sharp turf allowance score May 7.

“He’s doing well, and should be tough back on dirt,” said Bret Calhoun, who trains Coyote Legend.