Shotgun Kowboy probable for Lone Star Handicap

Shotgun Kowboy is on course for a start in the Grade 3, $200,000 Lone Star Park Handicap on May 28, according to his trainer, C.R. Trout. Shotgun Kowboy was second in last year’s running won by Cyrus Alexander.

“We’ll look at that race and see what comes in,” Trout said Wednesday. “That’s what we’re looking at, and maybe going up to Iowa for the Cornhusker.”

Shotgun Kowboy, who also ran second in last year’s Cornhusker, opened his 5-year-old season with a pair of powerful allowance wins in January and February at Oaklawn. Both came on the front end, while in his last start, the Grade 3, $200,000 Steve Sexton Mile on May 7 at Lone Star, he had one horse beat early before finishing fourth to Mor Spirit.

“We wanted to change his running style and we shouldn’t have,” Trout said. “Sometimes you outguess yourself.”

Trout, who also bred and owns the Grade 3-winning Shotgun Kowboy, said the horse could work Saturday or Sunday.

The Lone Star, to be run at 1 1/16 miles, drew 66 nominations. Mor Spirit is the high weight at 125 pounds, but his trainer, Bob Baffert, said following the Steve Sexton Mile that the horse is possible for the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap next month at Belmont Park. Shotgun Kowboy is weighted at 120.

Entries for the Lone Star Handicap will be taken Sunday.