(July 4, 2008) - James and Patricia Gallagher's Ernesto, a five-year-old gelding, established a new track record of 1:27.67 for seven-and-a-half furlongs over a firm turf course in Friday's eighth race at Lone Star Park. The previous record of 1:27.90 was set by Song Dancer on July 16, 2006.

The record-setting win came in front of Lone Star Park's largest crowd of the 2008 season, which is estimated at more than 20,000.

After trailing the field behind fractions of 22.18, 45.14 and 1:09.39, Ernesto, under jockey Quincy Hamilton, advanced three to four wide on the turn before swinging six wide in the stretch passing all eight of his rivals to win by half a length. Regal Career finished second.

It was the second straight win over the Lone Star Park turf at the distance for the son of Royal Academy, who paid $9.80, $4.80 and $3.20.