(Grand Prairie, Texas - July 7, 2011) - Saturday’s 10th running of the $100,000 Texas Stallion Stakes (Staunch Avenger Division) for 2-year-old colts and geldings, to be run at a 5 ½ furlongs, showcases the Will Farish-owned Field Goal, trained by Steve Asmussen, and the Bret Calhoun-conditioned entry of Coyote Canyon and Sword Trick, owned by Clarence Scharbauer Jr.

Field Goal was last seen finishing second in the $88,000 TTA Sales Futurity Stakes at Lone Star Park June 11. The bay son of Valid Expectations seeks to give Asmussen his fourth victory in the Texas Stallion Stakes (Staunch Avenger Division). He previously won with Expect Will (2004), Paltu (2005) and Big Texas Daddy (2009).

Coyote Canyon and Sword Trick form a formidable entry for Scharbauer Jr. and Calhoun. The former is a bay son of Gold Legend who recorded his first career win at Lone Star Park on June 19 when beating 11 maiden rivals by seven lengths, the latter hasn’t been seen since recording an equally impressive victory in his career debut at Lone Star Park May 7.

“Sword Trick might be the most talented of the two but the inside post might be a negative,” said trainer Bret Calhoun. “The race might setup better for Coyote Canyon and he’s been very professional. We feel like we have a nice entry to send out.”

Calhoun has also trained the winner of the Texas Stallion Stakes (Staunch Avenger Division) three times. Be a Resident (2006), Gold Coyote (2007), and Early Final (2008).

The field from the rail out, with jockey and morning line odds listed in parenthesis, consists of: Jones Focus (Gerard Melancon, 15-1); Sword Trick (Cliff Berry, 7-5); Risen in Deed (Bobby Walker Jr., 30-1); Primistalla (Tony McNeil, 10-1); Statler (Erik McNeil, 6-1); Coyote Canyon (Roman Chapa, 7-5); Field Goal (Luis Quinonez, 6-5); Swass Like Me (Jose Medina, 6-1); Jones Way (Junior Chacaltana, 15-1) and Boca Bay (Chris Landeros, 6-5).

Scheduled as race two on the nine-race program, the Texas Stallion Stakes (Staunch Avenger Division) has an approximate post time of 2:03 p.m. CDT.

Calhoun-Trained Nothinbettertodo Looks Tough in $100,000 Texas Stallion Stakes (Pan Zareta Division)

Saturday’s 10th running of the $100,000 Texas Stallion Stakes (Pan Zareta Division) for 2-year-old fillies, to be run at 5 1/2 furlongs, features Clarence Scharbauer Jr.’s Nothinbettertodo, trained by Bret Calhoun.

Nothinbettertodo, a bay daughter of Gold Legend, was a convincing 5 1/4-length winner against 11 rivals in a Texas-bred maiden special weight event at Lone Star Park June 17. Cliff Berry, who has ridden Nothinbettertodo in her first two starts, has the assignment.

“She put it all together in her second start and she seems to be getting better all the time,” said Calhoun. “She drew the right post and she looks like she’ll be tough to beat.”

The field from the rail out, with jockey and morning line odds listed in parenthesis, consists of: Gone Kitty (Trey Agilar, 4-1); Kimbell’s Bling (Rudy Guerra, 15-1); Im a Bear (Chris Landeros, 3-1); Positive Spin (Luis Quinonez, 20-1); Saras Play (Tony McNeil, 10-1); Sierra Wild (Roman Chapa, 20-1); Miss Lederhosen (Gerard Melancon, 12-1) and Nothinbettertodo (Cliff Berry, 1-1).

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

Lydia's Last Step Seeks Second Stakes Win at 2011 Lone Star Park Thoroughbred Meeting in $75,000 Assault

Richard Penn’s Lydia’s Last Step, trained by J.R. Caldwell, has been installed as a 8-5 morning-line favorite in the 14th running of the 1 1/16 miles $75,000 Assault Stakes, for accredited Texas-breds, 3-year-olds and up, at Lone Star Park Saturday.

Winner of the $50,000 Premier Stakes April 14, after being claimed for $25,000 in February at Sunland Park in New Mexico, Lydia’s Last Step most recently finished fourth in the Lone Star Park Handicap (G3) May 30.

“He ran a big race in the Handicap (Lone Star Park Handicap) and he came out of that race well,” said trainer J.R. Caldwell. “We feel like he’s doing better than ever coming into Saturday’s race.”

The field from the rail out, with jockey and morning line odds listed in parenthesis, consists of: Cool Hand Val (Roman Chapa, 8-1); Cool’s Phire (Junior Chacaltana, 20-1); Lydia’s Last Step (Bryan McNeil, 8-5); Skip a Smile (Luis Quinonez, 5-1); Dandy’s Legacy (Cliff Berry, 15-1); Coyote Legend (Chris Landeros, 9-5); Halifax Flyer (Jose Figueroa, 15-1); Dixieland Baby (Benny Landeros, 20-1) and Safe Range (Tony McNeil, 15-1).

Scheduled as race eight on the nine-race program, the Assault Stakes has an approximate post time of 4:51 p.m. CDT.

Note: Flat Out, who finished second in the Lone Star Park Handicap, only two lengths in front of Lydia’s Last Step, won the $300,000 Suburban Handicap (G2) at Belmont Park July 2.

Tin Top Cat Tries to Give Calhoun Third Straight Win in $50,000 Valor Farm

Jerry Durant and Bill Jordan’s Tin Top Cat, trained by Bret Calhoun, is attempting to give Calhoun his third consecutive victory in the six-furlong $50,000 Valor Farm Stakes, for accredited Texas-bred three-year-old fillies, Saturday at Lone Star Park.

A bay daughter of Supreme Cat, Tin Top Cat has won seven of 15 career starts, including three of nine starts at Lone Star Park. Tin Top Cat finished fourth in the 13th running of the Valor Farm Stakes in 2010. Bobby Walker Jr. is scheduled to ride.

“The inside post usually concerns me sprinting but it’s really okay for her,” said Calhoun. “She runs well when she’s covered up, she just might need to get a little lucky and find a hole to run through.”

Calhoun won the Valor Farm Stakes in 2009 with Taptam, and in 2010 with Hollye Lynne.

The field from the rail out, with jockey and morning line odds listed in parenthesis, consists of: Tin Top Cat (Bobby Walker Jr., 2-1); Joy’s Paradise (Cliff Berry, 3-1); Zippy Wager (Jose Figueroa, 15-1); Dixie Dust (Erik McNeil, 4-1); She’s a Bond Girl (Bryan McNeil, 12-1); Classic Detonation (Benito Morales, 30-1); Donegal Gold (Benny Landeros, 15-1); Queenland (Roman Chapa, 8-1); All Time (Alfredo Contreras, 15-1); Playgirl Prospect (Chris Landeros, 30-1) and Berry Valid (Tony McNeil, 20-1).

Scheduled as race seven on the nine-race program, the Valor Farm Stakes has an approximate post time of 4:23 P.M. CDT.

This Weeks Events And Promotions At Lone Star Park

Friday, July 8 – The Lone Star Music Series continues with the Josh Abbott Band and Reckless Kelly concert. Join us for an evening of Thoroughbred racing and live Texas Country Music. Admission is just $5 before 9 p.m. and $15 after 9 p.m.

Saturday, July 9 – Dwight Yoakam Concert: don’t miss the legendary Dwight Yoakam! Admission is just $5 before 5 p.m. and $15 after 5 p.m.; Jockeys & Java: Beginning at 8:30 a.m., watch horses during morning workouts from the shaded confines of the Courtyard of Champions. Enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast from the kitchen of Chef Jake Duplantis with breakfast burritos, danish, coffee and juice. Hosted by track announcer John Lies, this weeks special guests are Richard Penn, owner of Lydia’s Last Step, morning line favorite in Saturday’s $75,000 Assault Stakes and Dr. J.W. Parish, Equine Chiropractor. (interview begins at 9:00 a.m. followed by a question and answer session – guest subject to change). Following workouts at 10 a.m., fans are invited to take a behind-the-scenes trip to the backstretch. Everyone in attendance will receive a Lone Star Track Pack with coupons for free general admission and a Lone Star Today racing program; Fan Appreciation Day: Enter to win great prizes from Lone Star Park and our partners, including cash, gift cards, iPods and more! Just deposit your entry form on Saturday, July 9 by the 2 p.m. deadline for your opportunity to win; Family Fun Park: From noon to 4 p.m. we will have pony rides, a petting zoo and bounce houses.

Sunday, July 10 – Closing Day of the 2011 Live Spring Thoroughbred Season: Don’t miss out on the last live Thoroughbred racing action of the year at Lone Star Park; Senior Citizens’ Day and Military Discount Day. All senior citizens’, age 62 or older with 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; Jazz Brunch, an omelet station for $8.95 and a live Jazz Trio will perform in Silks dining room from noon – 3 p.m. Gates open at 11:30 a.m. – first live race at 1:35 p.m.

Additional Notes: Heading into Thursday night’s action Bret Calhoun leads all trainers in wins at the 2011 Lone Star Park Spring Thoroughbred Meeting with 47 wins …Cliff Berry leads all riders with 62 wins, only two victories ahead of Chris Landeros, winner of the 2009 and 2010 riding titles at Lone Star Park…Tom Durant heads the list of owners with 18 wins…End of meeting awards will be announced Sunday, July 10. Categories awarded are: Owner, trainer, jockey, apprentice jockey, Horse-of-the-Meet, Two-Year-Old-of-the-Meet, Texas-bred-of-the-Meet, and Claimer-of-the-Meet…Kyle Densmore of North Richland Hills, Texas won first prize in the Chevy Silverado Giveaway Sunday, July 3…Keri Klein of Arlington, Texas won a trip for four to Washington, DC Monday, July 4.