Speedy sprinter tries route

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Chief of Affairs let everyone know he was a racehorse right off the bat, when he won his career debut with a Beyer Figure of 100 earlier this meet at Lone Star Park. Saturday, the 3-year-old Chief of Affairs will move to two turns in what is something of an audition for the $100,000 Prelude Stakes at Louisiana Downs in August.

But the first order of business comes in the eighth at Lone Star, said his trainer, Bret Calhoun. A first-level allowance for Texas-bred 3-year-olds, the race will be run at 1 1/16 miles. Chief of Affairs, who won a six-furlong maiden special weight for statebreds by more than 12 lengths on May 2, will break from post 3 in a field of 10.

"It's a good spot to try two turns, get some two-turn experience, and we'll go from there," Calhoun said. "We have the Prelude in mind, and some races like that between this race and then, if the two turns seem to suit him well.

"He has a good temperament. He does whatever you ask him to do."

Chief of Affairs won his maiden in 1:09.20, and is just one of a handful of 3-year-olds to break triple digits on the Beyer scale this meet. Others include Mythical Power, winner of the Grade 3, $400,000 Lone Star Derby, and Hallelujah Hit, who won an allowance sprint in 1:08.20.

Chief of Affairs is a son of Yonaguska and out of the Nureyev mare Jennifer's Affair. He races for Wayne Sanders and Larry Hirsch. Cliff Berry, who was aboard Chief of Affairs for his smashing debut win, has the mount Saturday.

* Jockeys Chris Landeros and Luis Quinonez are not riding on Saturday because they are serving seven-day suspensions for riding infractions at Lone Star.