Lone Star Park: Tin Top Cat connects for Calhoun in JEH Stallion Station
Defending Lone Star Park training champion Bret Calhoun began the Lone Star Park meet very much in un-Calhoun fashion, going 0 for 5 over the meet’s first two days, Thursday and Friday.
By Saturday, however, he was back in more familiar territory, winning two races at Lone Star, including the featured $50,000 JEH Stallion Station Stakes for Texas-breds with Tin Top Cat.
With Justin Shepherd aboard, Tin Top Cot, a 4-year-old daughter of Supreme Cat, rallied from midpack to cruise past runner-up Blackies Crown and third-place Lady Giacomo, the pacesetter, to complete 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:17.33. She won by 1 1/2 lengths, paying $11.60 as the second choice in the field of 10.
Favored Joy’s Paradise was never a factor and finished a distant fourth.
“We wanted to get her behind horses and get her to relax,” winning rider Justin Shepherd said of Tin Top Cat. “It worked out perfect.”
Tin Top Cat, owned by Jerry Durant and Bill Jordan, and earned $30,000 for her victory in the JEH Stallion Station to increase her earnings to $303,524. She improved her record to 6 for 13.
Calhoun’s other winner Saturday at Lone Star came immediately following the JEH Stallion Stakes when Twilight Bay won a first-level allowance on turf.
Jockey Contreras injured in spill
Jockey Alfredo Contreras was taken to Baylor Medical Center at Irving, Texas, for examination after he sustained an apparent right shoulder injury in a spill during the 10th race at Lone Star Park Saturday.
Contreras was injured when his mount, Golden Flashback, appeared to take a bad step and fell on the turn, sending Contreras crashing hard to the track.
According to a release from Lone Star Park, Contreras was conscious and alert when he was transported by ambulance from the track.
There was no report on the physical status on Golden Flashback.