Shotgun Kowboy wires Lone Star Park Handicap

SHOTGUN KOWBOY grabbed command of Sunday’s $200,000 Lone Star Park Handicap (G3) from the start and never looked back under jockey Luis Quinonez, recording a 1 1/2-length victory over heavy 2-5 favorite Mubtaahij.

Quinonez sent the six-year-old gelding right out of the gate, and Shotgun Kowboy proceeded to set splits of :24.29, :47.63 and 1:11.6. South Beach ranged up to the dark bay’s outside on the backstretch, keeping the pressure on, while Mubtaahij bided his time just behind the leader.

South Beach came out a bit on the final bend and Mubtaahij was quick to take advantage of the opening, angling off the inside and setting his sights on Shotgun Kowboy. However, that veteran runner wasn’t backing up and continued to motor in the lane to stay in front all the way to the wire.

Sent off the 9-2 third choice in the four-horse field, Shotgun Kowboy paid $11.20 for finishing 1 1/16 miles over Lone Star Park’s fast main track in 1:44.84. Mubtaahij was second by 2 1/2 lengths over Fear the Cowboy, while South Beach faded to fourth and last.

Shotgun Kowboy has racked up $1,246,326 in career earnings for breeder/owner/trainer C. R. Trout. The Kodiak Kowboy gelding’s career mark now stands at 29-12-5-4, which includes wins in the 2015 Oklahoma Derby (G3) and placings in the past two years’ editions of the Lone Star Park ‘Cap.

Bred in Oklahoma, Shotgun Kowboy is out of the unraced Siphon mare Shotgun Jane, who has also produced dual stakes vixen Euro K Shotgun. Shotgun Jane is a half-sister to Grade 3-scoring millionaire Maysville Slew as well as the dam of Grade 1 heroine Shotgun Gulch.