Grand Prairie, Texas (Saturday, July 11, 2009) - Kenneth Collins and Danny Pish’s Goosey Moose, an eight-year-old gelding making his 52nd career start, took the lead at the top of the stretch and galloped to 2 ¼-length victory in the 12th running of the $75,000 Assault Stakes over a fast main track on Saturday at Lone Star Park. The victory marks the fourth time that Goosey Moose has won the Assault Stakes following wins in 2004, 2005 and 2007.

The Danny Pish-trainee, ridden by Lone Star Park leading jockey Cliff Berry, settled in behind leaders Gold Coyote and Windy Lou through opening fractions of 23:95 and 47:70. He began his move at the start of the final turn and took the lead on the outside as the three turned for home. Goosey Moose pulled away and stopped the teletimer at 1:14:81 for the one-mile-and-a-sixteenth distance. Windy Lou was second and Ablaze With Spirit came on late to finish another ½-length back in third.

"When we passed the wire the first time, he was in the bridle,” said winning rider Cliff Berry. “He was looking like he wanted to win today and I just kind of got out of his way. I did pull him to the outside down the backside just to have a clean shot. Danny (Pish) thought he might rather go around them, so that’s what I did."

“We’re very proud of the horse. He’s part of the family and I’m thrilled to have Mr. Collins as my partner,” added winning co-owner/trainer Danny Pish. “When I called and asked him to go in with me on the horse, he didn’t hesitate. He showed confidence in us and I am glad we were able to get it done for him.”

With his fourth win in the Assault Stakes, Goosey Moose improved his career record to 11 wins from 52 starts and, with the $45,000 winner’s share, increased his lifetime earnings to $585,050.

Goosey Moose paid $10.00, $5.20 and $3.20, Windy Lou returned $21.20 and $7.20, while Ablaze With Spirit returned $2.60 to show. Burbon Road, Gold Coyote, Elegante’, and Catrin completed the order of finish.

Taptam Outlasts Nomoneyinmywranglers to Win 12th Running of $50,000 Valor Farms Stakes Saturday

Wayne Sanders and Larry Hirsch’s Taptam, trained by Bret Calhoun, outlasted second-place finisher Moneyinmywranglers, to win the 12th running of the Valor Farms Stakes by 3 ¼-lengths over a fast main track on Saturday at Lone Star Park.

Taptam, ridden by Lone Star Park leading jockey Cliff Berry, broke alertly to take the lead through the clubhouse turn. The four-year-old, chestnut daughter of Pleasant Tap then settled behind Moneyinmywranglers on the backstretch while the two set opening fractions of 24:61 and 47:85. After a brief challenge from fourth-place finisher Wrenice through the final turn, the two early leaders pulled away from the field and battled through the stretch. The winner made the winning move at the sixteenth pole to complete the mile in 1:37.32.

“I thought there would be a little more pace,” said winning jockey Cliff Berry. “I slipped away from the gate just to get position and found myself in front. Of course, the nine horse (Moneyinmywranglers) was going a little faster than I wanted to go, but she settled right back. When I picked her up to run, she kicked on. I couldn’t feel anybody coming, but I didn’t let up. She finished great."

With the win and $30,000 winner’s share, Taptam improved her career record to five wins from 19 starts and $152,731 in career earnings. Light Lace just got up by a nose to finish third ahead of Wrenice.

Taptam paid $8.60, $4.00 and $3.20, Moneyinmywranglers returned $4.60 and $3.60, and Light Lace paid $3.80 to show. Wrenice, Comanche Vision, Dixie Dust, Fourstarattraction, and Classie Baloo completed the order of finish.