Two Texas Thoroughbred Association $150,000 futurities highlight Lone Star Park’s July 13 Stars of Texas Day
Five stakes on tap as thoroughbred racing wraps up Sunday
By Martha Claussen
GRAND PRAIRIE, Tx. –Texas Horse of the Year and Champion Older HorseSunlit Song has an impressive record on the turf. The 9-year-old son of My Golden Song was bred in Texas by Carolyn Barnett and owned by Barnett and Becky Harding. The striking gray gelding will make his 45th lifetime start on Saturday for trainer Mindy Willis. His incredible record is highlighted by 18 wins; 16 on turf and earnings of $757,520. He ran second to Singapore Flash in last year’s Assault Stakes.
Willis is hopeful that Sunlit Song will find his way back to the winner’s circle on Saturday afternoon. He will make his first start since running second in the Richard King Stakes on Texas Champions Day at Sam Houston.
“We’ve had to fight bad weather and a minor issue he had with mucus,” Willis said. “I am thankful that his owners always back me in not running him unless he is 100 percent. He’s good now and has been working well.”
Willis had to secure another rider as Stewart Elliott has been sidelined since being injured at Lone Star Park on May 27.
“Stewart was always so patient, and I was at a loss who would fit Sunlit Song but made a good choice with Richard Eramia,” she said. “He is a very kind person and an experienced rider. I have confidence that he will put him in a good spot.”
Iberian Runner, owned by L and G Racing Stables, has shown his affinity for the turf, outrunning his odds in several stakes appearances this year. The 5-year-old son of El Kingdom is trained by Cesar Govea, who will give a leg up to rider Leandro Goncalves.
Trainer J. R. Caldwell, who won the 2023 Assault with Singapore Flash, will saddle Bobby Brinkley, a 6-year-old gelding by Shanghai Bobby. A $25,000 claim by Farmers Fillies Racing, Bobby Brinkley has won two of his four main track races this season at Lone Star.
Martha Claussen (shown in photo with Stewart Elliott) has been involved in the racing industry since 1997. She served as publicity director for Sam Houston Race Park for 10 years and continues to be active in writing, fan education and racing publicity in Texas, Louisiana, Indiana and other regions in North America.
