Mystery Classic primed for Turf Sprint

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Mystery Classic is one of the best sprinters in the region. He won six consecutive races last year, and appears poised to turn in a big effort Wednesday night in the $50,000 Lone Star Park Turf Sprint. He has turned in some strong works for the five-furlong turf race, which will be his second start of the year.

"I feel good about the race," said Bob Schultz, who trains Mystery Classic.

Mystery Classic heads a field of eight older horses, including multiple stakes winner Orphan Brigade. Mystery Classic comes into the race off a fourth-place finish in a five-furlong turf sprint June 1. The allowance, run over soft turf, was Mystery Classic's first start in five months. He was beaten just a length in the race, which Schultz noted went in a quick 56.80 seconds. Mystery Classic can move forward Wednesday.

"In my opinion, he should be like a three-length better horse than he was the other day," Schultz said. "He should be. I got a three-quarters [work] in him after the race, and then I came back with a three-eighths, so by all rights, the horse should be pretty close to what he was before we turned him out."

Mystery Classic went on a tear last year, winning sprints on dirt and turf. His richest score came in the $50,000 Spirit of Texas at Sam Houston on Dec. 2, for which he earned a Beyer Figure of 102. One race later, he closed out his season with a close fifth-place finish to graded stakes winner Gaff in the $75,000 Bonapaw at Fair Grounds. For the Turf Sprint, Mystery Classic will break from post 5.

"His best running style is on the front end," said Schultz. "He rates on the front end and he finishes. That's what he does the best."

Bobby Walker Jr. has been named to ride Mystery Classic, but he was injured after entries were taken. Walker was thrown from Argenteen, his mount in the first race Sunday, when she stumbled badly at the start. He sustained fractures to his collarbone and is expected to be out about four weeks, said his agent, Shawn Bergquist.

"The worst part about it is his horse is in Wednesday," Bergquist said of Mystery Classic. "He loves that horse."

o There is a special post of 5 p.m., with fireworks to follow the races Wednesday.