Supermason, Infectious dominate Texas Stallion stakes

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Supermason has risen to the forefront in the Texas Stallion Stakes program, winning his second race in the series by a commanding margin Saturday night at Lone Star Park. He rolled by 6 1/4 lengths, two starts after a 14-length win in the Sam Houston division in February.

Saturday night’s $75,000 colts and geldings division for 3-year-olds was one of two stakes on the Lone Star card. In the $75,000 fillies division of the Texas Stallion Stakes, Infectious ran down Santacafe for a 3 1/4-length win.

Supermason ($2.60) moved to the lead soon after the start of the one-mile Stallion Stakes, and set fractions of 23.81 seconds for the opening quarter, 47.33 for the half-mile, and 1:12 for six furlongs. He pulled clear in the stretch, while covering the distance on a track rated fast in 1:38.56.

“He went quick, but I think that’s just the way he does it,” said winning rider Lindey Wade. “He’s a big horse. He just strides out that way.”

Supermason, who races for Brad Grady and is trained by Bret Calhoun, was winning at two turns for the first time Saturday. The winner’s circle was filled following the race.

“My dad came in from west Texas with a group of his guys that all graduated high school together, so we’ve got a big crowd,” Grady said. “It’s great. It’s a very memorable night for sure.”

Calhoun was winning Lone Star’s colts and geldings division of the Stallion Stakes for 3-year-olds for the third time. He also captured the race last year with Ibaka and in 2010 with Coyote Legend. Wade is also now a three-time winner of the race, his other sores coming with Ibaka, and in 2011 with Halifax Flyer.

Supermason, a son of Grasshopper, has now won 4 of 11 starts and $143,755. He was bred in Texas by W.S. Farish and E.J. Hudson Jr., Irrevocable Trust.

Infectious clear winner in fillies division

Infectious ($3) settled in third off the controlled pace set by Santacafe, who took the field through fractions on 25.14 seconds for the opening quarter, 49.37 for the half-mile, and 1:14.01 for six furlongs. Infectious then moved in on the leader who came under pressure from Special Rockstar, worked past Santacafe, and drew clear to cover the mile for 3-year-old fillies in 1:39.71.

“We were in the perfect spot, just sitting and watching,” said Cliff Berry, who rode Infectious.

Danny Pish trains Infectious for her breeder, W.S. Farish. It was the second career stakes win for Infectious, who captured the $50,000 Bara Lass in January at Sam Houston. She is a daughter of Valid Expectations and out of the Geri mare Red Cell.

“She comes from a family of horses that get better as they get older, and in particular when they stretch,” said Pish.

Infectious, who was bred in Texas, was making her second two-turn start Saturday.