Daily Racing Form National Digital Edition
Galactica faces a tall order
Galactica will launch his 3-year-old season Saturday night at Sam Houston in the $65,000 Jim’s Orbit division of the Texas Stallion Stakes.
“It’s nice to have him back,” said trainer Bret Calhoun.
The Jim’s Orbit, for 3-yearolds, is one of two restricted stakes on the final card of the meet. The other is the $65,000 Two Altazano division of the Texas Stallion Stakes, which is for fillies. Both races will be run over six furlongs, and each is restricted to the offspring of eligible stallions.
Galactica will face seven others, including fellow stakes winners Direct Dial, Redatory, and Swift Shock. Last July, Galactica won a maiden special weight sprint in his second start, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 79. One race later Galactica captured the $105,000 colts and geldings division of the Texas Thoroughbred Futu- rity, with a Beyer of 80. Both races were at Lone Star Park.
“We were pretty high on the horse as a 2-year-old and sent him to Saratoga,” said Calhoun.
But Galactica, who races for Carl Moore and Brad Grady, did not take to Saratoga.
“He just wasn’t doing well,” Calhoun said. “We never found anything wrong. We just decided to back off of him. We sent him to Brad Grady’s farm, Grand Oaks, and laid him up and gave him time. They got him up to a half-mile, then he came in in great condition, a real good bottom on him, and I was able to move forward with him quickly.”
Galactica shows some strong works at Fair Grounds, including five-eighths in 1:00.60 on Feb. 28. The Jim’s Orbit will be his first start since July 22. Galactica will break from post 4 under Quincy Hamilton.
“Obviously the horse has had only three lifetime starts and he’s coming off a layoff,” Calhoun said. “He’s not near as seasoned as the rest of them. But he has talent and class and I think he’ll perform very well.”
Direct Dial is moving back into a restricted stakes after finishing third in the $125,000 Gazebo on Feb. 24 at Oaklawn. Earlier in his career he won a division of the Texas Stallion Stakes at Retama Park and finished second in the Tremont at Belmont Park. Iram Diego has the mount for owner Will Farish and trainer Steve Asmussen.
Calhoun will be hoping for a fast track in the Two Alta zan of or How bout this cow girl. She should go favored over five others following a runner-up finish in the $50,000 Bara Lass on Jan. 28 at Sam Houston. The race was the first start on a wet track for How bout this cow girl.
“I think she was probably hindered by the off going,” said Calhoun. “She’s come back and trained very, very well. Hopefully, we’ll have a fast track.”
Lindey Wade has the mount from post 6 for owner-breeder Douglas Scharbauer.
Sunland: La Coneja
Tilla Cat will be shooting for her second stakes win of the Sunland Park meet on Saturday when she starts as the probable favorite in the $85,000 La Coneja. The 5 1/2-furlong race is for fillies and mares bred in New Mexico.
Tilla Cat won the $85,000 New Mexico Racing Commission Handicap in December at Sunland, and took on males last out in the Mt. Cristo Rey Handicap there. Tilla Cat finished second by three-quarters of a length in the 4 1/2-furlong race on Feb. 4.
Tracy Hebert was aboard in the Mt. Cristo Rey and again has the mount for trainer Todd Fincher.
The chief threat in the 10-horse field could be Rappakuba, who is seeking her sixth consecutive win in a streak that started last March at Sunland. Alfredo Juarez Jr. has the mount for trainer Henry Dominguez.
Louisiana Downs: Mardi Gras
Louisiana Downs puts on a pair of Quarter Horse stakes for Louisiana-breds on Saturday, topped by the $310,466 Mardi Gras Futurity. The 300-yard race will share a program with the $87,506 Mardi Gras Derby.
The field of 10 for the Mardi Gras Futurity is topped by fastest qualifier Quick to Flirt, who won his career debut in his trial Feb. 24 at Louisiana Downs. He covered 300 yards in the mud in 15.58 seconds, winning by a length. Quick to Flirt will break from post 4, just inside of second fastest qualifier Tf Lil Black Runaway, who won her trial in 15.66 seconds, also on Feb. 24.
Louisiana Downs announcer John McGary will be joined by turf publicist Martha Claussen for a handicapping seminar at noon on the first floor of the grandstand. There also will be drawings for two $1,500 college scholarships.