Texas Chrome gets more ground in Clever Trevor
Texas Chrome will get the added distance he seems to crave when the 2-year-old chases after his fourth stakes win of the year in Friday night’s $100,000 Clever Trevor at Remington Park. The seven-furlong race is the local prep for next month’s $250,000 Springboard Mile.
“I think the seven furlongs will be right up his alley,” said Shea Stuart, who trains Texas Chrome for Danny Keene. “We’ve been talking about stretching him out for a while, and this is a good in-between [distance] to see how he handles it.”
Texas Chrome will be making his first start beyond six furlongs in the Clever Trevor, which drew eight horses. Others set to start include Cash Bonus, the winner of the $75,000 El Joven at Retama Park; Bravura, a stakes-placed runner who owns the field’s best last-race Beyer Speed Figure; and Whence, who is coming off a maiden special weight win at Keeneland.
Clever Trevor, Race 7
KEY CONTENDERS
Texas Chrome (Last 3 Beyers: 71-77-84)
◗ Texas Chrome has had an outstanding 2-year-old season. He has used his notable closing kick to win four of five starts, including a $111,000 division of the Texas Thoroughbred Association Sales Futurity in July at Lone Star Park, the $100,000 Gold Rush Futurity in August at Arapahoe Park, and the $55,000 Governor’s Cup in his last start Oct. 17 at Zia Park.
“He’s always been really smart,” Stuart said. “He just picks up everything. You don’t have to show him how to do it twice. He understood the gates right way. He’s a pleasure to train.”
◗ Texas Chrome is a son of Grasshopper, the runner-up in the 2007 Super Derby and the winner of the Mineshaft Handicap at Fair Grounds in 2008. Such a pedigree, coupled with the horse’s style, suggests he will appreciate more ground.
“I think it’s going to be good for him, I really do,” Stuart said. “He can lay off the pace and relax. He’s easily rateable.”
Deshawn Parker has the mount from post 5.
◗ Stuart said that with a good performance, Texas Chrome could head to either the Springboard Mile or the Grade 3, $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot.
Whence (Last 3 Beyers: 78-72-59)
◗ He won his maiden in his third career start Oct. 17, shuttling home by 4 3/4 lengths in a maiden special weight sprint at Keeneland.
◗ Angel Cruz has the mount for Bill and Corinne Heiligbrodt and trainer Steve Asmussen.