It is a quieter weekend of racing action in the United States this weekend, with just a handful of Grade 3 races. However, there looks to be a competitive card of racing taking place at Lone Star this weekend, and we will run through the stakes races that fans can look forward to below.
Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame Stakes
The fourth race on the card at Lone Star on Sunday is the Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame Stakes. This race is run on turf over a distance of 1 1/16 miles, and horses aged three and older can enter the race. There is also a purse of $50,000 available for connections in this race.
Sunlit Song is the hot favorite in the betting for the race, as he has won three from four starts so far this year. His only defeat came when he was second in the Houston Turf Stakes back in February. Since that defeat, he has won both the Richard King Turf Stakes and an allowance race at Lone Star. He has course form and a proven record at this level and looks a difficult horse to oppose.
Moonjab Jr looks to be the main competition in this race, as he has won two from five this season. However, he will need to reverse the form after being beaten by Sunlit Song in the Richard King Turf Stakes. Redatory also isn’t without a chance if he can rediscover the form that he was in last year when winning this very race. However, since then, he hasn’t won and was well beaten in the Richard King Turf Stakes last time out.
Texas Stallion Pan Zareta Division Stakes
The Texas Stallion Pan Zareta Division Stakes is the eighth race on the card at Lone Star, with fillies aged two able to enter. The race is run over a five-furlong distance, and there is a prize purse of $75,000 available for winning connections.
It’s a Gee Thing, for trainer Danny Pish, is a horse that could take some beating in this race. She was excellent on her first start, as she won a maiden special weight at Lone Star. That first start was back in May, and she looks like the progressive type that will be able to improve on that.
A number of horses involved in this race will be lining up for the very first time. Wicked Star and Mysterious Star are among the most interesting. Eagle Express may be one that could improve after finishing second behind It’s a Gee Thing on her debut.
Wayne Hanks Memorial Stakes
The ninth race at Lone Star will be the Wayne Hanks Memorial Stakes. There is a purse of $75,000 available for this race, as horses bred in Texas that are aged three and over compete over a distance of 6 ½ furlongs.
Mr Money Bags could be among the main contenders, but he will need to improve after a couple of disappointing recent runs. He finished fourth in an allowance last time at Lone Star and hasn’t won since the Stonerside Sprint Stakes in January 2020. Shifty Henry has been in good form this year, as he has won four from seven starts. However, this will be the first race in this company.
Direct Dial looks to be the horse with the best form in this race. The Steven Asmussen-trained horse has won two from three this season. He has won both the Star of Texas Stakes and H-Town Stakes. We expect him to bounce back from his sixth in an allowance optional last time out.
