Speedy Gold Coyote makes two-turn debut

Gold Coyote, who was one of the quickest 2-year-olds of 2007 based on Beyer Speed Figures, will make his long-awaited two-turn debut Saturday night in the $125,000 Jim's Orbit Division of the Texas Stallion Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park.

The one-mile race is one of two restricted stakes for 3-year-olds on the program. The $125,000 Two Altazano for fillies is led by Honor Jones and Ms Classic Seneca.

Gold Coyote earned a Beyer of 102 last July at Lone Star Park when he won the 5 1/2-furlong division of the $125,000 Texas Stallion Stakes. The number was one of the highest assigned to a 2-year-old in 2007. For his two-turn debut Saturday, Gold Coyote, a son of the Seattle Slew stud Gold Legend, has been training smartly at his base of Sam Houston.

"Breeding-wise and looks-wise, we've always thought this horse would stretch out," said Bret Calhoun, who trains Gold Coyote for Clarence Scharbauer Jr. "And, he's got the kind of speed that can dictate the pace, and I think he can carry that speed on."

Gold Coyote will be making his second start of the year Saturday. He made his season debut in the $50,000 Dixieland at Oaklawn on Jan. 12 and finished fifth after a troubled trip. He will break from post 12 in the Texas Stallion Stakes, and will be ridden by Bobby Walker Jr.

"There's a pretty good group of horses," Calhoun said, "and there's the 12-post to overcome and other speed, so it's going to be a tough task. But I think he's up for it. He's doing well."

The chief threat could be Ferdinand's Flyer, winner of the six-furlong division of the $125,000 Texas Stallion Stakes at Retama Park last October. Tony McNeil has the mount for trainer Cheryl Asmussen.

In the fillies division, Honor Jones will have to overcome post 11 to win, but she brings a good two-turn resume into the race.

She made her two-turn debut in a first-level allowance at Sam Houston on Dec. 16 and finished second by three-quarters of a length. One start later, she won a first-level allowance at Delta Downs. Shaun Bridgmohan has the mount for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Ms Classic Seneca, who is undefeated in three career starts, will be making her two-turn debut in the Texas Stallion Stakes. She last raced on Dec. 1, closing from fifth to win the $50,000 Bara Lass at seven furlongs at Sam Houston. She will break from post 4.