Grand Prairie, Texas (Saturday, June 29, 2024) - Ten races were contested on the day's card, including four open-condition stakes on the Lone Star Park turf course.

$125,000 Chicken Fried Stakes

The day's stakes action began with a field of ten 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 six-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 eighteen career starts. Ova Charged is owned by Brittlyn Stable Inc. and left the gate as the wagering favorite at odds of 3-to-10.

$125,000 Wasted Tears Stakes

The $125,000 Wasted Tears Stakes attracted a field of ten 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. The four-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 after the race 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 LLC and Paul Braverman.

$125,000 Grand Prairie Turf Sprint

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 six-year-old gelding on the lead and stayed in front holding off a furious bid by Minnesota Ready in deep stretch to win by a head.

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 on Memorial Day. Linda Juckette owns the multiple stakes winner, Agent Peter Graves.

$250,000 Texas Turf Classic

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 ten length deficit and hit the wire first in a thrilling photo finish.

The 9-to-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.

A total of $918,460 was wagered on the ten races, with 8,681 in attendance for the Saturday card. Racing will resume Sunday, June 30 at 1:35 p.m.

Photos are courtesy of Dustin Orona Photography