Lone Star Derby J

AMERICAN GRADED STAKES

PREVIEWS

A lackluster field of six sophomores has been entered in Saturday's $200,000

Lone Star Derby (G3), and we're tabbing HENSHIN HERO (Dance Master) to come out

on top. Trained by Bret Calhoun, the bay gelding captured three of his first

four starts, with the only loss amongst those coming when he unseated his rider

at Oaklawn Park in late January. Most recently he shipped to Keeneland and tried

grass for the first time, winding up second, and will probably enjoy returning

to the main track in this spot. The biggest question mark for the three-year-old

is the 1 1/16-mile distance over Lone Star Park's oval, as he has never raced

beyond six furlongs. If he can handle the stretch out, Henshin Hero looks

capable of scoring in his first stakes try. Bobby Walker Jr. takes over the

mount.

CRIDER (Closing Argument) was fourth in the Smarty Jones S. in his first race

against stakes company, then returned to finish fifth, placed fourth via

disqualification, in the Southwest S. (G3), both at Oaklawn. The Steven

Asmussen-conditioned bay earned a nice 95 BRIS Speed rating for that latter

effort, and stretched out to 8 1/2 furlongs when second in his most recent

start, an allowance/optional claimer. Crider has a shot against this field under

Aaron Gryder.

GAME ON DUDE (Awesome Again) was well-beaten in his two stakes attempts, the

Florida Derby (G1) and Derby Trial S. (G3), but those came against top class

rivals. The dark bay won't be facing anywhere near that caliber of horse here,

and earned 100 BRIS Late Pace ratings for his initial two starts, including a

three-length maiden win going a mile at Gulfstream Park. Trainer Bob Baffert is

adding blinkers for this start, and Game on Dude could improve enough with the

equipment change and drop in class to threaten for it all. Martin Garcia will be

in the irons.

WANDO REDD (Wando) was a 6 1/2-length maiden winner in his third try at

Evangeline Downs last out. The chestnut colt garnered a 93 Speed figure for his

initial score, but might not be able to keep up with our top three. We can only

recommend in the bottom of the gimmicks.

THATLLEAVEAMARK (Marked Tree) has spent the majority of his career running

against maiden claimers. He finally managed to breakthrough at the $15,000 level

to take his first win, but even against these appears out of his class. GILDED

WOODMAN (Gilded) will be getting the addition of first-time Lasix and trying

dirt for the first time, but still doesn't appear fast enough to stay in touch

with his rivals here.