Texas shipper has experience edge at Hoosier

Experience

Lone Star Cowboy ships in from the Lone Star State to face eight other Indiana-bred 2-year-old colts and geldings in the $70,000 Hillsdale at Hoosier Park Sunday.

Trained by Joe Petalino, Lone Star Cowboy already has competed in two stakes. After winning a maiden race at Lone Star Park June 12, Lone Star Cowboy ran second in the Middleground July 26 after encountering trouble at the start. He earned a Beyer Figure of 81 in that event, 12 points above the best of any other horse in the race on Sunday.

In his most recent out, Aug. 23 at Remington Park, Lone Star Cowboy was well beaten in the Clever Trevor.

"He had a little bit of a lung infection in his last," Petalino said. "I expect him to improve a lot off of that race and run well here."

Lone Star Cowboy has displayed a just-off-the-pace style in his races, and Petalino thinks that will serve him well in the Hillsdale.

"When he comes from just off the pace it seems he is the most comfortable and gets his best trip," he said.

Leading rider Orlando Mojica will ride.

Lucky Chuck comes into the Hillsdale off his maiden win at Hoosier on Aug. 29. The gelded son of Evansville Slew came from way off the pace to win by 4 1/2 lengths. Leandro Goncalves retains the mount.

Others in the field are Flylikeabird, Port Royal Tee, Our Devils Halo, You Already Know, Man From Mars, and the entry of Sir Walters Oro and Jo Jo's Knockout.