(Grand Prairie, Texas - July 6, 2012) - Texas-breds will be center stage Saturday at Lone Star Park as four stakes races restricted to Thoroughbred horses foaled in the state are scheduled to be run with purses combining for a total of $250,000. Gates open at 11:30 a.m. and the first of 10 live races is 1:35 p.m. The stakes action kicks off beginning with race four at approximately 2:59 p.m.

Stars of Texas Day showcases the $75,000 (guaranteed) Texas Stallion Stakes, Staunch Avenger Division (2-year-old colts and geldings at 5 1/2 furlongs); the $75,000 (guaranteed) Texas Stallion Stakes, Pan Zareta Division (2-year-old fillies at 5 1/2 furlongs); the $50,000 Assault Stakes (Texas-bred 3-year-olds and up at one mile); and the $50,000 Valor Farm Stakes (Texas-bred 3-year-olds and up, fillies and mares at six furlongs).

Rich 2-Year-Old Stakes Showcase Progeny of Texas Sires; The Two Divisions of the $75,000 Texas Stallion Stakes Reward Horses by Texas-based Sires

Staunch Avenger (colts and geldings division)

First of the four scheduled stakes is the 11th running of the Texas Stallion Stakes, Staunch Avenger Division for colts & geldings. Assigned morning line odds of 8-5 by track handicapper Rick Lee, The Drifter, owned by Charles W. Fletcher won his career debut here against maiden special weight company earlier this season on May 6. Trainer Cody Autrey took over conditioning duties after the passing of trainer, Gilbert Ciavaglia. Lone Star Park's all-time leading rider, Cliff Berry picks up the mount.

Second choice in the morning line at odds of 9-5 is Wesley Melcher's, Worldventurer. Bred by Clarence Scharbauer Jr., he looks like a formidable opponent in this six-horse field. Trained by Bret Calhoun, the grey son of Wimbledon recorded his first career win at Lone Star Park on May 24, beating 11 maiden rivals by eight and one-half lengths. And to back that maiden victory, he defeated a field of 10, acquiring his first stakes victory in the $94,420 TTA Sales Futurity here on June 16, by two and one-half lengths.

The field from the rail out, with jockey and morning line odds listed in parenthesis, consists of: Worldventurer (Jamie Theriot, 9-5); Kiss My Abbie (Alfredo Contreras, 30-1); Estrickator (Bryan McNeil, 3-1); The Drifter (Cliff Berry, 8-5); Gyrate (Luis Quinonez, 8-1); and Valid Blarney (Lindey Wade, 15-1).

Scheduled as race four on the 10-race program, the Texas Stallion Stakes (Staunch Avenger Division) has an approximate post time of 2:59 p.m. CDT.

Pan Zareta (filly division)

Winning this race six of its 11 runnings, Lone Star Park's all-time leading trainer, Steve Asmussen could certainly up that to seven wins, when he sends out this seasons TTA Sales Futurity (fillies division) winner, Falling Star. Owned by W. S. Farish, the grey filly by Too Much Bling will have to turn in a top-notch performance. Not only will she have to again hold off TTA Sales Futurity runner-up, Pardonmecomingthru trained by Caroline Dodwell, but also the Bret Calhoun trainee, Thibodaux an impressive winner in her career debut here May 27 by seven and one-half lengths, as well.

Asmussen's past winners of this race: Miss Lederhosen (2011), Fastation (2010), Camille's Appeal (2009), Valid Lilly (2007) Berdelia (2004) and Tiffany Jennifer (2002).

The Pan Zareta Division of the Texas Stallion Stakes for fillies has been carded as the eighth race Saturday with a scheduled post time of 4:51 p.m. CDT.

Here is the field from the rail out, with jockey and morning line odds listed in parenthesis: Switchen Er Up (Jose Medina, 30-1); Thibodaux (Cliff Berry, 9-5); Platinum Song (Glen Murphy, 12-1); Pardonmecomingthru (Larry Taylor, 5-2); Falling Star (Bryan McNeil, 3-1); Three Card Lil (Alfredo Contreras, 20-1); One Eyed Shook (Gerardo Mora, 20-1) and Wahine Bling (Roman Chapa, 5-1).

Coyote Legend Seeks Second Victory in $50,000 Assault

The 15th running of the one mile $50,000 Assault Stakes, named in honor of the Texas-bred which became horse racing's seventh Triple Crown winner in 1946, is for accredited Texas-breds, 3-year-olds and up going one mile on the main track. Carded as race six Saturday, the scheduled post time is 3:55 p.m. CDT.

Winner of this race in 2010, Coyote Legend, trained by Bret Calhoun, has been installed as the 6-5 morning-line favorite. The Clarence Scharbauer, Jr. homebred gelding by Gold Legend will be looking to unseat his up setter in last year’s contest, Skip a Smile. Coyote Legend just may have the edge, as this is the first off of a layoff for Rose Mary Chandler's Skip a Smile. In his last out before the layoff, Skip a Smile ran third in the Stars of Texas at Sam Houston last January. The winner that day was none other than Coyote Legend.

Both will not only face each other, but will be challenged by some of the same rivals that are taking another shot in this latest renewal.

The complete field of seven from the rail out, with jockey and morning line odds listed in parenthesis, consists of: Fly the Red Eye (Weldon Cloninger, 15-1); Daddy Ben (Erik McNeil, 20-1); Skip a Smile (Luis Quinonez, 8-5); Safe Range (Glen Murphy, 6-1); Coyote Legend (Cliff Berry, 6-5); Cougar Hollow (Roman Chapa, 15-1) and Cool Hand Val (Martin Escobar, 15-1).

Joy's Paradise Returns to Defend Title in $50,000 Valor Farm

H. L. Southard's Joy's Paradise back to defend her title in this 15th running of the $50,000 Valor Farm Stakes, for accredited Texas-bred three-year-old fillies, but she will turn in a good performance to achieve that goal. Her last stakes win was back in January at Sam Houston when she won the Yellow Rose followed by an allowance win there in February. She has not seen the winner's circle since those victories earlier this year.

Breaking from the rail, Circustown Rose could be tough to catch if let loose on the lead. Coming off back-to-back wins here at Lone Star, an allowance in May and her most recent the Lane's End Stallion Scholarship Stakes on June 16, she could give trainer Bret Calhoun his third title in this race.

As Saturday's featured ninth race, the Valor Farm Stakes will be contested at a distance of six furlongs on the main track and is scheduled to go at 5:19 p.m. CDT.

The field from the rail out, with jockey and morning line odds listed in parenthesis, is: Circustown Rose (Cliff Berry, 3-1); She Has Bling (Erik McNeil, 30-1); Shewantsaprenup (Beverly Burress, 10-1); Loose Play (Alfredo Contreras, 15-1); Nurse Goodnight (Lindey Wade, 15-1); Joy's Paradise (Jamie Theriot, 7-2); Roundabout Lass (Roman Chapa, 6-1) Dixie Dust (Bryan McNeil, 15-1); Donegal Gold (Martin Escobar, 8-1); Early M (Jose Medina, 20-1) and Youcannotbeserious (Glen Murphy, 9-2).

Additional Promotions this Weekend

Friday, July 6
• Josh Abbott Band in Concert: Josh Abbott Band will perform after the races Friday, July 6. The concert is free with $5 General Admission until 9 p.m., or $20 after 9 p.m. Anyone under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a legal guardian of 30 years of age or older.
• Bar & Book Happy Hour: Customers can check out the new Bar & Book, Lone Star Park's newly-renovated simulcast facility, while enjoying happy hour, Monday through Friday 4 – 7 p.m. Happy hour specials include $3 well drinks and $2 select domestic drafts. Admission and parking to Bar & Book is free.

Saturday, July 7
• Jockeys & Java: Fans can join us for Jockeys & Java this Saturday, July 7. Enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast of a danish or muffin, a breakfast burrito, coffee and juice, while observing the horses during their morning training program. Listen to insights and commentary from Track Announcer, John Lies and his special guest this week, Lone Star Park Bugler, Jay Ellsmore. Afterwards, everyone can enjoy an in-depth tour of the barn and stable area. The free morning workout program begins at 8:30 a.m. this Saturday.
• Fan Appreciation Day: Fans can enter to win great prizes like cash, gift cards and more in our Fan Appreciation Day drawings. Drawings will be held between races. Entry deadline is 2 p.m. and those entering must be 21 years of age or older. No purchase necessary. The Vic Duncan Band will perform on the Courtyard of Champions Stage between live races, from 1 to 5 p.m. The Family Fun Park will be open from noon to 4 p.m. with pony rides, a petting zoo and bounce houses.
• Stars of Texas Day: Live racing begins at 1:35 p.m. and features four stakes races; the $100,000 Texas Stallion Stakes (Pan Zareta Division for 2-year-old Fillies), the $100,000 Texas Stallion Stakes (Staunch Avenger Division for 2-year-old Colts & Geldings), the $50,000 Assault Stakes and the $50,000 Valor Farm Stakes.
• Billy Currington in Concert: Billy Currington will perform after the races Saturday, July 7. The concert is free with your $5 General Admission until 5 p.m., or $20 after 5 p.m. Mark MicKinney will perform on the main stage just before Billy Currington.
• UFC 148: Silva vs. Sonnen II; Live on Pay-Per-View at Bar & Book: The Bar & Book's sports bar will feature the Pay-Per-View event, UFC 148: Silva vs. Sonnen II on Saturday, July 7. Preliminary bouts will begin at 7 p.m. and the Pay-Per-View broadcast will begin at 9 p.m. Admission to Bar & Book is free and a $20 food & beverage minimum per person is required after 8 p.m. to watch this event.

Sunday, July 8
• Senior Citizens' Day and Military Discount Day: All senior citizens, age 62 or older with a valid I.D., or members of any branch of the military, with a valid military I.D., receive free general admission.
• Pepsi Can Offer: Bring any Pepsi can to Lone Star Park and receive a Pepsi track pack good for One (1) Free General Admission and One (1) Free Large Pepsi. This offer is only available in the Grandstand for live racing.
• Jazz Brunch in Silks: Enjoy a live Jazz Trio performing in Silks dining room from noon – 3 p.m., and an all-you-can-eat omelet station for only $8.95.

Additional Notes: Heading into Friday's action, Cliff Berry leads all jockeys at the 2012 Lone Star Park Thoroughbred Meeting with 57 wins ... Danny Pish leads the trainer standings over Bret Calhoun, 40-38 ... End Zone Athletics Inc. leads owners with 15 wins ... End of Meeting awards will be announced Sunday, July 8. Categories awarded are: Horse of the Meet, Champion Claiming Horse, owner, trainer, jockey and apprentice jockey.