Texas Chrome under consideration for Iowa Derby

Texas Chrome is back at Lone Star Park after running third to Gun Runner in the Grade 3 Matt Winn last Saturday at Churchill Downs. He got a chance at graded rivals following a 10-length win in a division of the $75,000 Texas Stallion Stakes on May 15. For the Matt Winn, Texas Chrome earned a career-high Beyer of 89.

“We tested him,” said J.R. Caldwell, who trains Texas Chrome for Keene Thoroughbreds. “He stood up and tested well.”

Caldwell said plans for Texas Chrome are to be determined, with one consideration being the Grade 3, $250,000 Iowa Derby on July 1 at Prairie Meadows.

Texas Chrome is a four-time stakes winner. Keene Thoroughbreds and Caldwell will be headed back to Churchill soon. Caldwell said plans are to run Country Candy in the $100,000 Debutante on July 2. She was a 9 1/2-length debut winner May 6 at Lone Star, earning a 79 Beyer.

Bling On the Music, another impressive debut winner for Keene Thoroughbreds, is being pointed to the $100,000 fillies’ division of the Texas Thoroughbred Futurity on July 9 at Lone Star, said Caldwell. Trainer Bret Calhoun has two recent debut winners at Lone Star eyeing the same race. He said Gold Shock, for Doug Scharbauer, and I’ve Got Rhythm, for Circustown Stables, both are on deck for the fillies’ division of the Texas Thoroughbred Futurity.