(May 30, 2005) - Before a holiday crowd of 13,838, millionaire Supah Blitz prevailed in a thrilling four-way photo by a nose over Cryptograph, Absent Friend and 6-5 favorite Lion Tamer in Monday's Grade III, $300,000 Lone Star Park Handicap, the richest of six stakes races that comprised the Grand Prairie racetrack's seventh annual Lone Star Million.

California-based jockey Jon Court, who won the Walmac Lone Star Derby aboard Southern Africa 16 days ago, was aboard for the win - one of three stakes wins on the day. He also guided Mad Adam to victory in the $200,000 Pin Oak Stud USA Stakes and R Fast Lady in the $150,000 Stonerside Stakes.

The stretch drive in the Lone Star Park Handicap was a nail biter. Supah Blitz, runner-up in the Texas Mile on April 30, took the lead at the top of the stretch with Lion Tamer, who broke slowly, in close pursuit along the rail under jockey Jerry Bailey. As those two battled in upper stretch, Cryptograph and Absent Friend were beginning to roll from the back of the pack.

At the finish line, all four horses hit the wire almost simultaneously. Supah Blitz, two from the inside, had his nose fully extended and prevailed in 1:41.90 for the 1 1/16 miles on the main track rated "good." Meanwhile, Cryptograph, who made his first start in six months, was a hard-luck loser on the far outside. Absent Friend, three from the rail, was another nose back in third. Lion Tamer, down on the inside, was another nose back in fourth.

"They came on both sides and were just pouncing on me in the final strides, but we held on with a nose in front," Court said. "He had to reach within himself and get that little extra to hold on to this race."

The $180,000 winner's share of the purse boosted Supah Blitz's career earnings to $1,319,210 for Southern California-based owners Black Saddle Stable, Kagele Brothers Inc. and Mark Leib. It was the 5-year-old Florida-bred's eighth win in 38 career starts.

"I thought we got beat, to be honest with you," said Supah Blitz's trainer Doug O'Neill, who watched the race on television at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, Calif. "When we drew the rail, we were a little bit squeamish because he's a horse who seems so much more comfortable being outside of horses. Jon did a fantastic job on saving ground on the first turn. He was just in a garden spot there midway down the backside where he was on his own and had those two horses as a target. We knew if he was near the front end turning for home, he'd give it his all. He's a real fighter in the heart of battle."

Supah Blitz paid $7.20 to win as the 5-2 second choice in the field of 10 older horses.

In the Grade III, $200,000 WinStar Distaff, Kentucky invader Katdogawn, trained by Wally Dollase, rallied nicely on the outside to defeat 8-5 favorite Valentine Dancer by 1 ½ lengths. The Nelson Bunker Hunt-owned entry of Voz De Coligiala and Paz Ciudadana were close behind, finishing third and fourth, respectively.

Katdogawn, owned by Jim Ford Inc. and John Cuchna, ran one mile over a yielding turf course in 1:39.53 under Bailey, a Dallas native. It was the 5-year-old mare's seventh win in 28 starts. She paid $7 to win as the 5-2 second choice and earned $120,000 to bring her career earnings to $760,325.

Elsewhere, 3-year-old Mad Adam, under Court, won the $200,000 Pin Oak Stud USA Stakes for owner Ro Parra's Millennium Farm and trainer Barry Germany. Court also piloted Eoin Harty's 3-year-old filly R Fast Lady to a neck victory over Forever Brilliant in the seven-furlong $145,500 Stonerside Stakes. True Tails, the 3-5 favorite, faded to third.

The John Locke-trained Oncearoundtwice, ridden by Quincy Hamilton, rallied to win the $100,000 Beck Auto Group Turf Sprint by a half-length over 2-5 favorite Top Commander. Orphan Brigade was another head back in third.

In the $100,000 Valid Expectations Stakes, Jack Brooks' Boston Express rolled to a gate-to-wire, 4 ¾-length victory over 2-5 choice Savorthetime, the defending champ. Jaime Theriot rode the winner for Norman.