Calhoun has strong hand for Texas futurity series

Galactica, who owns the highest Beyer Speed Figure among 2-year-olds in North America, and Patrona Margarita, a halfsister to near millionaire Texas Chrome, are both targeting upcoming stakes races at Lone Star Park, trainer Bret Calhoun said Wednesday.

Galactica earned an 89 Beyer on July 4, when he cruised to a 4 1/4-length win in a maiden special weight for statebreds at Lone Star. He is now on deck for the $100,000 colts and geldings division of the Texas Thoroughbred Futurity on July 22. On the same card, Patrona Margarita, who won her debut June 9 at Churchill Downs, is targeting the $100,000 fillies division of the Texas Thoroughbred Association Futurity.

Calhoun said Brian Hernandez Jr. will be in to ride both horses. The races are among four stakes on the annual Stars of Texas program. Purses for the stakes total $300,000.

Galactica was making his second career start in the maiden race, and he covered five furlongs in a quick 57.60 seconds. He is a February foal by Uncle Abbie, and he was a $52,000 purchase during a 2-year-olds in-training sale put on by the Texas Thoroughbred Association in April.

“We liked him off his breeze,” said Calhoun, who trains Galactica for Carl Moore and Brad Grady. “It wasn’t a blazing fast time, but he worked very well and he looked great moving. Did it extremely easy and galloped out strong.”

Patrona Margarita has made one start since defeating open company in her debut. She finished a troubled eighth last out in the $100,000 Debutante on July 30 at Churchill.

“She had a terrible trip,” Calhoun said. “She got stopped hard in the turn. That was it. I really feel she would have been in the top three in the Debutante.”

Patrona Margarita is a daughter of Special Rate who races for her breeder, Craig Upham.

The Texas Thoroughbred Futurity divisions will be drawn Saturday.

String King return delayed

The field for the $100,000 Louisiana Legends Turf that will be run Monday at Louisiana Down is missing a notable entrant – the millionaire String King. The horse who has won three runnings of the race had been scheduled to make his first start since December in June, but a “slight” physical setback caused him to miss 30 days of training, breeder, owner, and trainer Charlie Smith said Tuesday.

“He needed a few days for me to try to get everything back to normal, and everything’s back to normal.” Smith said. “We’ll take him back to the track next week. I don’t think he’ll be ready for Louisiana Cup Day [on Aug. 5 at Louisiana Downs]. He might be ready to go Super Derby Day.”

Smith said the target on the Super Derby undercard Sept. 9 would be the $60,000 Unbridled.

The Louisiana Legends Turf is one of six turf stakes that have been moved to Louisiana Downs from Evangeline Downs, which has been unable to use its turf course. Louisiana Downs announced the dates for those stakes Tuesday. The $50,000 Louisiana Legends Turf Starter will share a card with the Legends Turf on Monday.

The $50,000 Opelousas and $50,000 John Henry will be held Aug. 5. The $50,000 Tellike and $50,000 Need For Speed are set for Sept. 9. All of the stakes are for 3-year-olds and up. The Opelousas is for fillies and mares at a mile and the John Henry is at 1 1/16 miles. The Tellike, for fillies and mares, is run at five furlongs, as is the Need for Speed.

Ibaka eyes Louisiana stakes

Ibaka, a seven-time stakes winner who won an optional $35,000 claiming race last Saturday at Lone Star in his first out since December, could return to stakes action next month, said trainer Bret Calhoun. The horse is a candidate for the $50,000 John Henry on Aug. 5 at Louisiana Downs.

“That’s kind of what we’re thinking with him,” said Calhoun, who trains Ibaka for Doug Wall. “The timing would be very good for us and it would be a good spot for him. So, that’s what we’re looking at right now.”

Ibaka was freshened after racing this winter at Fair Grounds. He set the pace in his Lone Star start and finished with good energy, winning by 3 1/4 lengths in the mile turf race. Ibaka earned a Beyer Figure of 86.

“I thought it was a great comeback race,” Calhoun said. “He’s a horse that does fire well fresh, but in the back of your mind you’re always concerned about fitness when one’s off for that long, especially the style he wants to run sometimes. You don’t want him mixing it up early, getting hooked, first start back.”

Calhoun also credited the ride by Eddie Martin Jr. He said down the road, Ibaka will target the Oklahoma-bred stakes offerings at Remington Park.

◗ Horses nearing the end of their racing careers can be paraded before prospective buyers in the Lone Star Park paddock area during the third annual Roses to Ribbons Old Fashioned Horse Fair at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Horses are sold through private treaties. For more information, contact the Texas Thoroughbred Association.