Von Hemel likes colt's prospects

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Cryptograph has been known to put in some big stretch runs at Lone Star Park. He won the $75,000 Grand Prairie with a last-to-first move a meet ago, and in October he closed from 10th to finish a half-length behind Pollard's Vision in the Grade 3 Lone Star Derby.

Monday, Cryptograph put in his latest stretch bid at Lone Star, rallying fast to finish a nose second to Supah Blitz in the Grade 3, $300,000 Lone Star Park Handicap. The race was Cryptograph's first start in six months, with his last race having come in November.

"That was a big test, no doubt," said trainer Donnie Von Hemel of the Lone Star. "It was his first time against older horses, and to run as competitive as he did, I think that speaks well for what he can do the rest of his career."

Von Hemel said Crypto-graph has several options for his next start. Among them are: the one-mile Bob Johnson at Lone Star on July 17; the Grade 2, $300,000 Corn-husker Breeders' Cup Handicap at 1 1/8 miles at Prairie Meadows on July 2; or the $50,000 Ark-La-Tex Handicap at 1 1/16 miles at Louisiana Downs on June 18.

"We'll see how things shape up," Von Hemel said.

Cryptograph is a son of Cryptoclearance and races for his breeder, Pin Oak Stable.

Stakes draws Moody Goose

Moody Goose will step into the overnight stakes ranks for the $40,000 Nevill/ Kyocera at Lone Star on Saturday following an 11 3/4-length debut win in which he earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 103. The 5 1/2-furlong race will go as the seventh and is restricted to 3-year-olds who have not won a stakes in 2005.

Moody Goose ran six furlongs in 1:08 on May 20 in a performance that indicated he has inherited some of the talent of his older half-brother, multiple stakes winner Boots on Sunday. A son of Shaquin, Moody Goose races for Jeanne Ann Stasny and will be ridden by Larry Taylor.