Tower of Texas Set for Third King Edward

Tower of Texas is set to face eight other milers on the Woodbine turf for his third start in the King Edward Stakes (G2T) July 2, a race he won in 2015.

After finishing third in the King Edward last year, the 6-year-old Street Sense   gelding went on to runner-up finishes in his next three starts, including the Play the King (G2T) and Ricoh Woodbine Mile (G1T) stakes over the same course. He finished out 2016 with an off-the-board effort in the Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes (G1T) at Keeneland.

Thomas Van Meter II and Scott Dilworth's Tower of Texas won his first and only start of the year at Woodbine with a nose victory over Commute in the seven-furlong Connaught Cup Stakes (G2T) June 3. Trained by Roger Attfield, Tower of Texas is slated as the 2-1 morning-line favorite.

Attfield also brings Dan Gale and Richard Hogan's Shakhimat, who will look to get back to the graded stakes level after three unsuccessful efforts so far this year. 

The Lonhro gelding finished third in his most recent start, a 1 1/16-mile optional-claiming allowance race over the Woodbine turf. His most recent win was in the 2016 Transylvania Stakes Presented by Keeneland Select Stakes (G3T) last April.

Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier, and Michael Tabor's 2014 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T) winner Hootenanny last won an allowance at Belterra Park in September. In his season debut, the 5-year-old son of Quality Road   finished fourth in the May 13 Hanshin Cup Stakes at Arlington International Racecourse.

Trained by Wesley Ward, Hootenanny could instead run in the Highlander Stakes (G2T) the same day, where he would face graded stakes winners Calgary Cat and Noholdingbackbear.

Trainer Mark Casse brings the stakes-winning son of Hat Trick  , Monster Bea, who missed by a neck last time out in a Belmont Park optional-claiming allowance. 

Monster Bea stepped into graded company last year after competing at the allowance and stakes level for the majority of 2015-16, but the Gary Barber-owned gelding could not break through.

Stronach Stables homebred Unbridled Juan, a horse that has not placed worse than third in his 17 lifetime starts, just recently stepped into graded company. The son of Unbridled's Song placed third in the May 20 Eclipse Stakes (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the all weather track behind Dragon Bay and Are You Kidding Me. 

Unbridled Juan has been breezing well for trainer Josie Carroll, with one timed move on the turf June 7 producing a bullet five furlongs in 1:00 1/5, the fastest of 13 that day.

The Eclipse was the first graded score for Stuart Simon-trained Dragon Bay, who returns in the King Edward.

Connaught Cup fourth-place finisher Hollywood Hideaway, graded stakes-placed Go Bro, and last out claiming race winner Ikerrin Road complete the field.