Lone Star Park: Two-turn test for Daddy Ben

Daddy Ben will attempt to stretch his speed around two turns for the first time Saturday in the featured fourth race at Lone Star Park. The first-level allowance at a mile is for 3- and 4-year-olds bred in Texas. The field of eight includes Triple Crown nominee Orient Dancer.

Daddy Ben has more natural speed than most of his rivals, which could enable him to get an ideal tracking trip behind the rail-drawn Bold and Fresh, a front-runner stretching out from six furlongs. Daddy Ben last raced over seven-eighths, and after setting the pace finished third in a first-level allowance, also at Lone Star. The start was his first since November and he could move forward on Saturday.

Daddy Ben will get in lighter than Bold and Fresh under apprentice Ernesto Valdez-Jiminez. Mike Neatherlin trains Daddy Ben, a son of City Street.