Texas Chrome may ship to Louisiana for Prelude Stakes

Texas Chrome is back home at Lone Star Park after a runner-up finish to American Freedom in the Grade 3 Iowa Derby on July 1 at Prairie Meadows. The effort came one start after Texas Chrome ran third to Gun Runner in the Grade 3 Matt Winn at Churchill Downs.

The stakes were the first graded appearances by multiple stakes winner Texas Chrome.

“We asked a lot of him to travel, to run in those races, and he ran two really nice races for us,” said J.R. Caldwell, who trains Texas Chrome for Keene Thoroughbreds.

Caldwell said Texas Chrome will be seriously considered for the $100,000 Prelude on Aug. 6 at Louisiana Downs. The 1 1/16-mile race is the track’s local prep for the Grade 2, $400,000 Super Derby on Sept. 10.

Caldwell said that following the Lone Star meet, Texas Chrome will be based at Remington. The track puts on its Grade 3, $400,000 Oklahoma Derby on Sept. 25.

Plans for Country Candy

Keene Thoroughbreds and Caldwell had another stakes shipper earlier this month in Country Candy, who ran third in the $100,000 Debutante on July 2 at Churchill Downs. The effort followed her 9 1/2-length debut win at Lone Star.

Caldwell said he was pleased with how Country Candy handled the ship to Churchill and the large crowd on hand for the track’s closing-night card.

“She handled everything really well,” he said. “I’m very proud of the way she’s matured from her first race to her second race.”

Caldwell said Country Candy is being pointed to the $65,000 Prairie Gold Lassie on July 28 at Prairie Meadows.