Grand Prairie, Texas (Sunday, July 16, 2017) - Multiple graded stakes winner and reigning Texas Thoroughbred Association Horse of the Year Texas Chrome is returning to his home state and to Lone Star Park, where he launched his career in 2015, to compete in the Assault Stakes on the Stars of Texas Day program Saturday, July 22. With earnings of $990,762, a first or second place finish in the Assault would put Texas Chrome in the millionaire's club. He would be the second Texas-bred horse in history to reach the $1 million mark in earnings. The first and only Texas-bred racehorse to date to pass $1 million in earnings is Groovy, who retired from racing in 1987 with total earnings of $1,346,956 and an Eclipse Award as the nation's Champion Sprinter. 

"I wanted to bring him back here (Texas) to reach $1 million in earnings," said owner Danny Keene. "He has a following here. The people here seem to really care about him and like to watch him race, so what better place."

Texas Chrome sure seems to like it here as well. His record at Lone Star Park if 5-3-2-0. The two races he finished second were the Sexton Mile (Gr. III) behind Mor Spirit and the Lone Star Park Handicap (Gr. III) behind Danzing Candy.

Keene purchased Texas Chrome for $10,000 at the 2014 Fasig-Tipton Texas Yearling Sale held at Lone Star Park. About the son of Grasshopper out of Margarita Mistress by Naevus, Keene said, "He had that special look. It was his eyes. You could just see it."

Texas Chrome has a very good chance at reaching the earnings milestone in the Assault Stakes next week. Supermason, in to defend his title won last year, will be competitive certainly, but not like running against, for instance multiple Grade 1 winner of over $4.6 million, Gun Runner. 

There are four stakes on the Stars of Texas Day card worth a combined $300,000. They are the two divisions of the $100,000 Texas Thoroughbred Futurities for two-year-olds at five furlongs, the $50,000 Valor Farm Stakes for Texas-bred fillies & mares, three-year-olds & up at six furlongs, and the $50,000 Assault Stakes for Texas-bred three-year-olds & up at one mile.