Texas Bling looks to fire fresh in Star of Texas
Texas Bling ran one of the best races of his career following a layoff, and his connections will be hoping that history repeats itself Saturday night when the horse takes on five others in the $50,000 Star of Texas Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park. The race is the main event on a card of four stakes worth a total of $200,000. All of the races are restricted to horses bred in Texas.
The Star of Texas is for 4-year-olds and up at a mile, and the field includes defending champ F J Uncle Vic, the Delta Downs invader Edplicit, and the multiple stakes winners Texas Air and Supermason. Texas Bling defeated some of those runners in July, when he won the division’s Assault Stakes at Lone Star Park. He will be making his first start since Nov. 4.
“He showed in the Assault Stakes that he can definitely come from off a layoff and perform,” said Danele Durham, who trains Texas Bling for his breeder, Hall’s Family Trust.
Star of Texas (Race 7)
KEY CONTENDERS
Texas Bling (Last 3 Beyers: 85-73-87)
◗ He won an optional $40,000 claiming race around two turns at Remington Park last out, contesting the pace before going on to win by 2 1/4 lengths. In preparation for his return, Texas Bling has been training at his base of Oaklawn Park.
“Oaklawn is a deep track, and training at Oaklawn and going to other surfaces, they usually are very fit,” Durham said. “I can tell you this: He has trained up to this race like a massive bear. Every day, he’s wanting more. He’s just full of himself right now.”
◗ Durham said Texas Bling is at his best at the one-mile distance of the Star of Texas.
“He definitely likes the mile,” she said. “I think he’s what you call a true miler. The mile seems to be his lick.”
◗ Glenn Corbett has the mount from the rail.
Texas Air (Last 3 Beyers: 75-79-74)
*He too is invading from Oaklawn and will be making his first start since November. Texas Air last raced in New Mexico and ran seventh in the $165,000 Zia Park Distance Championship. He will be cutting back in distance from that 1 1/8-mile start, and the move is significant. Texas Air won last year’s Grade 3, $200,000 Texas Mile and in 2014 won the Star of Texas.
◗ David Cabrera has the mount for owner and breeder Paul Rigali Jr. and trainer Allen Milligan.
A M Milky Way returns
The stakes action starts in the sixth race with the $50,000 Spirit of Texas. The six-furlong race for 4-year-olds and up marks the return of A M Milky Way. The multiple stakes winner last ran in July and finished seventh in the Grade 3 Carryback at seven furlongs at Gulfstream Park. Earlier in the season A M Milky Way won the $50,000 Groovy at Sam Houston and the $75,000 Golden Circle at Prairie Meadows. Both of those wins came at the distance of the Spirit of Texas. Patrick Valenzuela has the mount for David L. Davis and trainer Karl Broberg.
Davis, Broberg, and Valenzuela also will team up in the $50,000 Groovy for 3-year-olds at six furlongs with Taylors Angiel, the winner of the Sugar Bowl last out at Fair Grounds. The chief threat appears to be Bravura.
Magna Breeze meets the filly I Am Jane Dough on turf in the $50,000 Richard King Handicap.