Lone Star: Triumph and Song delivers as favorite in Premiere Stakes

The betting public wagered on Lone Star’s opening-night first race, the $50,000 Premiere Stakes, as if Triumph and Song couldn’t lose.

The way it unfolded, Triumph and Song, the 1-5 favorite, essentially couldn’t. Already a standout on form, he took control from the start, and with jockey Jamie Theriot nursing him on the lead with easy splits of 23.05 seconds and 46.06 in the 6 1/2-furlong test, the race was decided early.

With plenty in reserve, Triumph and Song easily spurted away from the competition in the lane to win by 4 1/4 lengths, with 12-1 longshot Texas Air finishing a clear second, 5 3/4 lengths ahead of third-place Solar Charge, the 7-2 second betting choice. The winner raced 6 1/2 furlongs in a quick 1:15.45 on a fast track.

“He was much the best horse,” Theriot said.

Triumph and Song ($2.60) recorded his first stakes victory in the Premiere and notched his third straight score after taking back-to-back open allowances at Fair Grounds earlier in the year, both in fast time. He had not faced restricted Texas-bred competition before the Premiere.

A 4-year-old gelding by My Golden Song trained by Bret Calhoun, Triumph and Song gave owner-breeder Victoria Ashford her first stakes victory at Lone Star Park.