Grand Prairie, Texas (Wednesday, April 19, 2017) - Brad Grady's Supermason had an incredible season at Lone Star Park last year. The five-year-old son of Grasshopper won three of four starts including two stakes, the Premiere and the Assault, and set a new course record at 7 1/2 furlongs on the grass in an optional claiming allowance. Supermason will take on nine other Texas-bred, three-year-olds and up, in Thursday's season opener, the $50,000 Premiere Stakes, a 6 1/2-furlong sprint on the main track. The main threat appears to be stablemate Bravura. The pair, both trained by Bret Calhoun, ran against each other in the Spirit of Texas Stakes March 13 at Sam Houston. Bravura (Early Flyer) won the race, edging out Reflector, another possible threat in the Premiere. Supermason finished third.

This race could go either way certainly, but if Supermason shows up in form similar to a year ago, he will be one to reckon with. The Karl Broberg trained Reflector (Ready's Image) could also be in the mix again.

The field for the Premiere from the rail out with morning line odds and rider is: The Cherry Wine (5-1, Chris Rosier); Spider's Alibi (12-1, Iram Diego); F J Uncle Vic (Sasha Risenhoover); A M Milky Way (12-1, Ivan Arellano); Supermason (4-1, Lindey Wade); Reflector (9-2, Richard Eramia); Ty's Agenda (20-1, Ted Gondron); Afleet Whitegold (30-1, Gerber Pivaral) and Bravura (9-5, Eddie Martin, Jr.).

Gates open early at 4:30 p.m.  Approximate post time for the Premiere is 6:35 p.m.

Jockey Eddie Martin, Jr. returns to Lone Star Park as a regular rider this year. Third all-time in the Lone Star Park rider standings, Martin last rode here regularly in 2009. His last win here was on April 24, 2010 aboard a mare named Bubbler. For those of you who don't remember Bubbler, you likely have heard of her son, the richest racehorse in North American history, Arrogate.