Retama Park: Special U F O cruises in Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame Stakes

Special U F O quickly took command of Saturday night’s $50,000 Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame Stakes at Retama Park and never looked back for a 3 1/2-length win over the favored Fly the Red Eye. It was another neck back to Safe Range in third.

The Hall of Fame was for 3-year-olds and up bred in Texas and served as the first of two stakes on the card. In the $50,000 Fiesta Mile, the favored Smiles Golden Song was a 2 1/4-length winner over Shezararebird. The races complemented a Retama gala held to induct the late Arthur Seeligson Jr., Glenn Blodgett, Tami Purcell Burklund, Hadif, Dashingly, and Kontiki into the Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame.

Special U F O ($26.80) won his fourth straight race Saturday in a streak dating back to a $20,000 conditioned claiming route on dirt at Lone Star Park in May. In the Hall of Fame, a 1 1/16-mile turf race, he was up by three lengths through an opening half-mile of 47.47 seconds.

On the final turn, Special U F O separated himself from the field and had a six-length advantage by midstretch. He coasted home from there to cover the distance on firm ground in a quick 1:40.95.

Junior Chacaltana rode Special U F O for trainer Danny Pish.

Special U F O is a 3-year-old gelding by Special Rate and was bred by his owner, Southwestern Racing. The win Saturday was Special U F O’s first in a stakes and his fifth career victory from 10 starts.

Smiles Golden Song ($4.60) stalked the pace in fourth in the Fiesta Mile for fillies and mares bred in Texas, as Zippy Wager took the field through six furlongs in 1:10.01 while pushed by Lasting Bubbles. Smiles Golden Song advanced on the final turn, shot to the lead in the stretch, and proceeded to cover the distance on firm turf in 1:34.62.

David Cabrera was aboard Smiles Golden Song for trainer Larry Stroope.

Smiles Golden Song races for her breeder, Sylvia Baird. She is a 4-year-old daughter of My Golden Song.