Ova Charged Keeps Win Streak Alive at Lone Star
Image:
Description:
Photo: Dustin Orona Photography
Ova Charged wins the Chicken Fried Stakes at Lone Star Park
Ten races were contested on the June 29 card at Lone Star Park, including four open-condition stakes on the turf course. A total of $918,460 was wagered on the ten races, with 8,681 in attendance for the Saturday card.
The day's stakes action began with a field of 10 in the five-furlong sprint for fillies and mares in the $125,000 Chicken Fried Stakes. Ova Charged , usually a pace-setter, was content to sit off of the lead before moving off of the rail and taking command at the top of the stretch. The 6-year-old mare by Star Guitar , trained by Shane Wilson, drew clear winning by 2 3/4 lengths.
"I knew the pace was going to be quick. I kind of slowed her down, and get a good position." said jockey Jose Guerrero who was in the irons for the win. "I was just sitting behind with a lot of horse. I was just waiting for that door, and man, I got it." he continued.
The victory was Ova Charged's seventh consecutive win and her fifteenth win from 18 career starts. Two starts prior, the Louisiana-bred broke through on the big stage at Churchill Downs, winning the Unbridled Sidney Stakes (G3T) on the May 3 Kentucky Oaks (G1) undercard.
Ova Charged is owned by Brittlyn Stable and left the gate as the wagering favorite at odds of 3-10.
Video: Chicken Fried S. (BT)
Rispoli Takes Home victory in first Texas Ride
The featured race of the Lone Star Park Summer Turf Festival was the $250,000 Texas Turf Classic contested at 1 1/8 mile on the turf. Saving ground throughout most of the race, What Save Thee was able to make up a 10-length deficit and hit the wire first in a thrilling photo finish.
What Say Thee wins the Texas Turf Classic Stakes at Lone Star Park
The 9-5 wagering favorite was ridden by Umberto Rispoli who said, "My first time in Texas, my first ride, couldn't be better than that." What Say Thee is trained by Michael Maker and owned by Paradise Farms Corp. and David Staudacher.
Agent Peter Graves overcomes poor start
It was not mission impossible for Agent Peter Graves after a poor start in the five-furlong $125,000 Grand Prairie Turf Sprint. Jockey C.J. McMahon quickly put the 6-year-old gelding on the lead and stayed in front holding off a furious bid by graded stakes-placed Minnesota Ready in deep stretch to win by a head.
Agent Peter Graves (inside) wins the Grand Prairie Turf Sprint Stakes at Lone Star Park
Speaking about the start, McMahon said, "He did the same thing last time, so it was kind of expected. The secondary jump...he's going."
Trainer Scott Young added, "We just stay out of Pete's way and let him do what he wants."
Agent Peter Graves is now a two-time stakes winner at the current meet, having won the $100,000 Chamberlain Bridge May 27. Linda Juckette owns the multiple stakes winner.
Having a Target Proves Key for Libban
The $125,000 Wasted Tears Stakes attracted a field of 10 runners when drawn, but with two deflections, eight fillies and mares were left to break from the starting gate in the 1 1/16 mile race on the turf.
Libban wins the Wasted Tears Stakes at Lone Star Park
The 4-year-old filly, Libban , was forwardly placed during most of the race, applying pressure to the pace-setting Norah G . Once the field straightened out for home, there was no catching the Saffie Joseph, Jr. trained filly who crossed the wire 5 1/2 lengths the best.
Edgard Zayas was aboard for the stakes win and said, "I think when she has a target she's definitely better, and she showed it today for sure."
The win in the $125,000 Wasted Tears Stakes was the first victory in 2024 for Libban from five starts and her fourth career score. Libban is owned by C2 Racing Stable and Paul Braverman.