Shotgun Kowboy to take a new approach in Lone Star Park Handicap
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas – Shotgun Kowboy and Rocket Time are quick horses, but both could find themselves racing behind Cyrus Alexander, Supermason, and F J Uncle Vic on Monday in the Grade 3, $200,000 Lone Star Park Handicap.
Such a scenario would be a welcome development.
Trainer C.R. Trout hopes to see Shotgun Kowboy make his case in the later stages of the 1 1/16-mile race, while Rocket Time has been on a roll since utilizing last-to-first tactics for the first time in March.
“It’s a pleasant little discovery at age 5,” said Al Stall Jr., who trains Rocket Time.
The Lone Star Handicap is the centerpiece of the meet and will be showcased on a 10-race card that starts at 2:05 p.m. Central. The Weather Channel calls for a high of 85 degrees and a 40 percent chance of afternoon rain. The seven-horse Lone Star Handicap is completed by Grade 3 winner Carve, who is $4,360 in earnings from becoming a millionaire, and Spider’s Alibi, the first foal from 11-time stakes winner Miss Missile.
Lone Star Park Handicap Race 9
KEY CONTENDERS
Shotgun Kowboy, by Kodiak Kowboy
Last 3 Beyers: 95-88-85
◗ He exits the Grade 3, $200,000 Texas Mile on May 6, a race in which he set the pace and was overtaken late when finishing second to Great Minds. This time around, Trout would like to see different tactics from Shotgun Kowboy, who will be reunited with Luis Quinonez.
“I want to take him back off the pace some,” Trout said. “The last three or four races, we put him on the engine. He ran good races. We just want to take him back a little bit this time. Luis is a good hand at that. We’ll see if we can’t have a little kick on the end.”
◗ Shotgun Kowboy, a four-time stakes winner who captured last year’s Grade 3, $400,000 Oklahoma Derby, is the 119-pound highweight and will break from the rail.
“You couldn’t ask for a better horse,” said Trout, who also bred and owns Shotgun Kowboy. “He’s just great to be around. He does whatever you ask him to do.”
Rocket Time, by Tiz Wonderful
Last 3 Beyers: 92-88-77
◗ Rocket Time, weighted at 117, has won a pair of high-end optional-claiming races in his last two starts, closing from last in March at Oaklawn and settling off the leaders May 7 at Churchill.
“He’s showing a new dimension,” Stall said. “He comes from off of it now. He was strictly a speed horse. Now, we can play off the break and be comfortable doing it.”
◗ Rocket Time drew post 2. Colby Hernandez has the mount for Frank Fletcher Racing Operations.
Cyrus Alexander, by Medaglia d’Oro
Last 3 Beyers: 98-89-97
◗ He invades from Santa Anita, where he ran a close, troubled fourth in the $82,000 Santana Mile in his last start April 2. Since that race, he’s worked a bullet six furlongs in 1:10.80.
◗ Cyrus Alexander, who will have blinkers removed, will break from post 3. Martin Garcia has the mount for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer.
◗ Cyrus Alexander is a half-brother to 2010 Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver. He races for Spendthrift Farm and Stonestreet Stable.