Texas Chrome tries two turns in Texas Stallion Stakes
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas – Texas Chrome will be a strong favorite Sunday in the $75,000 colts-and-geldings division of the Texas Stallion Stakes for 3-year-olds at Lone Star Park, but the multiple stakes winner will be trying two turns for the first time.
“I watched him run last year, and it just seemed like the further he goes, the better he’ll be,” said J.R. Caldwell, who took over Texas Chrome’s training this year. “He might end up being a closing sprinter, but I think he wants to go two turns.”
The race shares a card with the Texas Stallion Stakes for 3-year-old fillies, also at a mile and worth $75,000.
Males’ division (race 9)
KEY CONTENDERS
Texas Chrome, by Grasshopper
Last 3 Beyers: 78-60-75
◗ He gets pedigree support for the distance test as his sire was a Grade 3 winner at two turns and his dam, Margarita Mistress, was a dirt-route winner who has produced the same in Margarita On Rocks.
◗ Texas Chrome was a three-time stakes winner last year for Keene Thoroughbreds, among his victories the $100,000 Gold Rush Futurity at Arapahoe. He won his debut and a $111,000 division of the TTA Sales Futurity in his two starts at Lone Star.
◗ Texas Chrome launched his 3-year-old season with a third-place finish in the $150,000 Bachelor on April 15 at Oaklawn.
“He ran a big race off the layoff, has had plenty of time between starts, and has had a couple of nice works,” Caldwell said. “The horse came to me off a little vacation and has done absolutely nothing wrong. He’s a classy horse. He just handles everything in stride.”
◗ Iram Diego has the mount from post 7.
Better Than Magic, by My Golden Song
Last 3 Beyers: 57-65-64
◗ He has placed in three stakes, all at two turns. He will be moving into the restricted ranks for the first time since winning his debut last July at Lone Star.
“I think it’s a good spot for him,” said trainer Bret Calhoun. “He fits. It’s his third race off a layoff. He’s doing well.”
Fillies’ division (race 6)
Key Contenders
More Than Most, by Indygo Mountain
Last 3 Beyers: 71-67-47
◗ She is a multiple winner at a mile, scoring at one turn in a maiden special weight at Churchill Downs in September, then at two turns in the $75,000 La Senorita last October at Retama.
“She’s a legitimate filly,” said trainer Calhoun. “We always thought well of her. We wouldn’t have taken her to Kentucky right off the bat if we didn’t believe that.”
◗ More Than Most will remove blinkers Sunday. C.J. McMahon has the mount for Doug Scharbauer.