War Bridle back at favorite venue

Horse for the course War Bridle returns to Lone Star Park on Saturday for the $50,000 Ford Express Stakes at six furlongs.

Trained by Sam David Jr., War Bridle has won five times over the Lone Star main track and will be making his first start of 2007 in the Ford. A Texas-bred son of Commanchero, War Bridle is unraced since an unplaced effort in the Remington Park Sprint Championship last October. He won three times locally last season, including his first start in a second-level allowance sprint following a layoff about as long as his break heading into Saturday's race.

David has gotten some excellent work out of the 5-year-old War Bridle in recent mornings, including a

bullet half-mile move in 47.40

seconds just last Monday.

Orphan Brigade, an impressive winner of an open allowance grass sprint locally on May 5, returns to the main track, where he has proven every bit as effective as on turf. The 6-year-old Orphan Brigade has won

2 of 4 starts in 2007, including an optional claimer over the Sam Houston main track in early March, when he controlled the pace throughout en route to a six-length victory.