Luttrells have high hopes for Promise Me Silver in Acorn

If it were not for Robert Luttrell’s wife, Myrna, there might not be a Promise Me Silver attempting to become the first Texas-bred since Got Koko in 2002 to win a Grade 1 race on Saturday. Promise Me Silver carries the hopes of the Lone Star State’s breeding program into the Acorn, a one-mile race for 3-year-old fillies on the Belmont Stakes undercard. She is seeking to improve her career record to 9 for 9.

Promise Me Silver was bred by the Luttrells and races for the couple, whose three-horse stable also will see action Friday and Saturday at Lone Star Park. Another Kite Flyer goes in a maiden special weight for 2-year-old fillies on Friday night, and Bully Good runs in an allowance Saturday. Both are half-siblings to Promise Me Silver. All are from the mare Uno Mas Promesa, a 10-year-old daughter of Macho Uno.

“We bought her as a yearling in Ocala,” Robert Luttrell said. “It’s kind of funny. When Myrna and I go to the sales, I have always gone through the catalog and have a list of everything I want to look at. As we were walking around, Myrna spotted this filly, and we went over and took a look at her and ended up buying her.”

Uno Mas Promesa won two races for the Luttrells but has proven to be of greater value in the broodmare shed. Promise Me Silver is the second foal from the mare and has earned $435,915. She became a Grade 3 winner last out in the Eight Belles Stakes on the Kentucky Oaks undercard at Churchill Downs. It was Promise Me Silver’s seventh straight stakes win, all following a maiden special weight score last May at Lone Star.

“We’re very proud of her,” Robert Luttrell, a retired 77-year-old said. “We had a dozen horses at the beginning of 2008. Then, with the economy going to pot, we gave several away just to get them off the payroll.”

The couple kept Uno Mas Promesa, who registered her two wins at Sunland Park in New Mexico. She is boarded at Valor Farm in Pilot Point, Texas, the home of Promise Me Silver’s sire, Silver City. The three horses the Luttrells have on the track are with trainer Bret Calhoun. Uno Mas Promesa also had a My Golden Song colt in the spring for the couple, and she was bred back to Proud Citizen.

“Proud Citizen has had a couple of Fair Grounds Oaks and Kentucky Oaks winners, so that’s what we decided to do,” Luttrell said.

At present, the couple is savoring the ride with Promise Me Silver.

“Bob and Myrna, they’ve managed this filly beautifully,” Calhoun said. “They’ve made my job easy. When things didn’t come up right as far as the weather or track surface, they’ve allowed me not to run her. A lot of people get anxious, don’t want to skip a spot. They’ve been great.”

The reward has been an unforgettable win streak, one the Luttrells would love to see continue Saturday, when they travel from their Arlington, Texas, home near Lone Star to Belmont Park. Calhoun also would love to see Promise Me Silver capture a Grade 1.

“Obviously, she’s a very talented filly, but I think her strongest point is her mind,” Calhoun said. “She’s got a great mind. Nothing rattles her. Nothing bothers her. Of course, at this point, after winning eight in a row, she’s very, very confident, too. She’s one of those fillies who refuses to lose. She’s had less-than-ideal trips in her races and just overcame them and won. She knows how to win.”

And Myrna Luttrell knows a good filly.

Turf course set to reopen

Lone Star director of racing Bart Lang is hopeful that the track will be able to race on turf Friday night for the first time since May 3. North Texas was hit with 16 inches of rain during May, according to news outlets, but there is no precipitation forecast through Sunday.

“I think the chances are excellent,” Lang said of getting back on the turf Friday. “I would be very surprised if we weren’t.”

The feature Friday night is a Texas-bred allowance for 3-year-olds and up at 7 1/2 furlongs on turf. It is led by Seeking West, Fly the Red Eye, and six-time stakes winner Solar Charge.

Retama opens meet Friday

Retama Park will open its Quarter Horse meet Friday night in a season that runs through Aug. 8. The meet begins the 20th year of operation for the track near San Antonio.

◗ Jockey Cliff Berry is approaching a milestone of 1,000 riding wins at Lone Star Park. He enters Friday’s card five wins from the feat, according to track spokeswoman Diantha Brazzell.