Supermason brings speed to Hall of Fame Stakes

Supermason is invading Retama Park near San Antonio for Saturday night’s $50,000 Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame Stakes.

“I think he likes a fast track, a firm turf course, which he showed at Lone Star,” trainer Bret Calhoun said. “I think he’ll get more of the same at Retama.”

Supermason, who in May set a course record at Lone Star Park, is part of a 10-horse field for the Hall of Fame. The 1 1/16-mile turf race is for 3-year-olds and up bred in Texas. It shares a card with the $50,000 Fiesta Mile, a race for statebred fillies and mares on turf that drew multiple stakes winners More Than Most and Expect Royalty.

The races complement Saturday’s inductions into the Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame. Those who will be enshrined during a trackside gala are First Down Dash, Hugh Fitzsimons Jr., John T.L. Jones, Dr. Nat Kieffer, and the late Jay Pumphrey.

Hall of Fame Stakes (Race 9)

KEY CONTENDERS

Supermason, by Grasshopper
Last 3 Beyers: 76-87-76

◗ He ran 7 1/2 furlongs on turf in 1:26.93 when setting the course record in an optional $25,000 claiming race May 15. It was one of just a handful of turf appearances for the horse who in July won the $50,000 Assault on the main track at Lone Star.

“He seems to be able to carry his speed maybe a little farther on the turf,” Calhoun said.

◗ C.J. McMahon has the mount from post 10 for Brad Grady.

Bully Good, by My Golden Song
Last 3 Beyers: 84-84-84

◗ He owns the field’s best last-race Beyer Speed Figure, earned for his runner-up finish in an optional $35,000 claiming race on the grass Oct. 1 at Remington Park.

◗ One start prior, he was second to multiple stakes winner Ibaka in another optional-claiming turf route at Remington.

Fiesta Mile (Race 7)

KEY CONTENDERS

More Than Most, by Indygo Mountain
Last 3 Beyers: 88-52-82

◗ She’s a three-time stakes winner, with one of those victories coming over the Retama course in last year’s La Senorita. More recently, she defeated older rivals in the $50,000 Lane’s End Texas Stallion Scholarship Stakes in June at Lone Star.

◗ She enters off a win in an optional $40,000 claiming route at Indiana Grand. She darted home by 4 1/4 lengths as the favorite Sept. 27.

“We got a nice prep in her in Indiana, gave her a little confidence builder, and she seems to be sitting on go,” said Calhoun, who trains More Than Most for Doug Scharbauer.

◗ She will be moving back to the grass following a front-running win in the off-the-turf race at Indiana.

“I think on the dirt she prefers to be out front, on the lead,” Calhoun said. “I think on the turf, she’s versatile. I would think she’d be forwardly placed.”