(July 3, 2009) - Saturday’s 8th running of the $125,000 Texas Stallion Stakes (Staunch Avenger Division) for 2-year-old colts and geldings, to be run at a 5 ½ furlongs, pits the Steve Asmussen-trained Big Texas Daddy, owned by Ackerley Brothers Farm, against the Bret Calhoun-conditioned Range War, owned by Clarence Scharbauer Jr.

Big Texas Daddy, a bay son of Valid Expectations, was an impressive winner in his career debut at Lone Star Park on July 4 and he seeks to give Asmussen his third victory in the Texas Stallion Stakes (Staunch Avenger Division). He won previously with Expect Will (2004) and Paltu (2005).

Range War, a bay son of Gold Legend, was equally impressive in his career debut at Lone Star Park on May 2. Range War is out to continue a streak of success for Calhoun in the Texas Stallion Stakes (Staunch Avenger Division). Calhoun has won this event three consecutive years with Be a Resident (2006), Gold Coyote (2007), and Early Final (2008).

“He didn’t getaway on time and he overcame some obstacles in his career debut,” said Bret Calhoun of Range War. “As a result, he got a better education out of it than if he had just went right to the lead, and he’s done well in his training since.”

The field from the rail out, with jockey and morning line odds listed in parenthesis, consists of: Big Texas Daddy (Luis Quinonez, 8-5); Coyote Legend (Glen Murphy, 2-1); Range War (Eddie Martin Jr., 2-1); Special Red Bird (Larry Taylor, 30-1); Early Dancer (Ramsey Zimmerman, 5-2); Fast Serve (Chris Landeros, 2-1); City Champ (T.L. Collier, 15-1); Hunting the Wire (Eguard Tejera, 20-1); Dimmit (Justin Shepherd, 30-1); Western Forum (Curt Bourque, 5-2); and Illusive Hunt (Carlos Gonzalez, 12-1). Coyote Legend, Range War and Fast Serve will run as an entry. Early Dancer and Western Forum are also coupled.

Scheduled as race six on the 10-race program, the Texas Stallion Stakes (Staunch Avenger Division) has an approximate post time of 3:55 p.m. CDT.

Tin Top Cat, Minacious to Meet Again Saturday in the Texas Stallion Stakes (Pan Zareta Division)

Saturday’s 8th running of the $125,000 Texas Stallion Stakes (Pan Zareta Division) for 2-year-old fillies, to be run at a five-and-a-half furlongs, features a rematch of the 1-2 finishers from the $88,000 TTA Sales Futurity Stakes at Lone Star Park on June 6. Bret Calhoun will send out Tin Top Cat, owned by Jerry Durant and Bill Jordan, while Steve Asmussen counters with Minacious, owned by Little Brother Farm LLC.

Tin Top Cat, a bay daughter of Supreme Cat, upset Minacious in the TTA Sales Futurity with a determined gate-to-finish triumph that saw her hold off Minacious by three-quarters of a length. Ramsey Zimmerman, who shipped in from Louisiana to ride Tin Top Cat in the TTA Sales Futurity, will return for the engagement in the Texas Stallion Stakes (Pan Zareta Division). Minacious will have regular rider Luis Quinonez in the saddle.

“Her trial run was a little disappointing, but she made up for it in the finals with a huge effort,” said Tin Top Cat’s trainer Bret Calhoun. “She’s grown up a lot since then, she’s really matured, and we think she’s going to run well on Saturday.”

The field from the rail out, with jockey and morning line odds listed in parenthesis, consists of: Playatrick (Ricardo Hernandez, Jr., 30-1); Flying Native (Curt Bourque, 9-2); Tin Top Cat (Ramsey Zimmerman, 9-2); Daphne Angela (Elvis Perrodin, 10-1); Minacious (Luis Quinonez, 5-2); Sweetsweetramona (Glen Murphy, 5-2); Miss Pepper (Eddie Martin, Jr., 20-1); Bud’s Little Edge (Eguard Tejera, 8-1); Maymeister (Chris Landeros, 20-1); Misty Visions (Alfredo Contreras, 30-1); Camille’s Appeal (Justin Shepherd, 4-1); and Legendary Day (Cliff Berry, 15-1). Minacious and Sweetsweetamona will run as an entry.

Scheduled as race eight on the 10-race program, the Texas Stallion Stakes (Pan Zareta Division) has an approximate post time of 4:51 p.m. CDT.