Sunday is a big stakes day at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas, and the top action of day is right in the mix of an attractive Pick 5.
The Pick 5 will run in races 5-9 and is highlighted by the Lone Star Park Mile, which goes as the eighth race and puts a spotlight on some of the area’s top older runners. The slate includes the Lone Star Park Turf Stakes and the Grand Prairie Derby, in addition to claiming and maiden races.
Here’s a look at the 50-cent Pick 5, which uses and 3x3x3x3x2 approach for $81:

Race 5 (6:07 p.m. ET, Lone Star Park Turf S.)
A quality run over the course is important, and FOOL’S PARADISE has that to his credit. She followed a pace that was favorable for her rally and came through in eye-catching fashion. She’s better on grass and will be one to hold off.

CURLIN’S JOURNEY was up in time in an allowance race here and prior to her trip to Texas was a regular in graded turf stakes in California. She has the class and can be close to the action throughout.

COWGIRLS LIKE US finished well and was getting to CURLIN’S JOURNEY last out. She’s never won on turf but has been on the board in 2 of 3 grass attempts.


Race 6 (6:37 p.m. ET, Claiming)
BRAVURA CREEK will be able to find a good trip just off the pace and will be set up by a fast pace. He’s improved in his last two and should be moving the best late.
ALEUTIAN HARBOUR ran well in British Columbia and just missed in his first local start. Can make a serious run at the lowest level he has seen.
YOUNG HENDRICK will be going like mad to get to the lead from the outside, and when he’s successful early on, it immensely enhances his chances. His only success came on the front end and he’ll go for that from the outside post.

Race 7 (7:07 p.m. ET, Grand Prairie Derby)
LITTLE MENACE makes her first two-turn attempt after some quality sprints. He ran out of real estate in his last three starts – all at six furlongs – and probably welcomes the chance to stretch out.
SIR RICK is a stakes winner around two turns and can benefit from a fast pace. He usually likes to be on the front end but chances are slim that he’ll get that kind of trip. Others with speed could work in his favor.
ICECAP has never been in a stakes races but is a regular going in longer events and will be one to benefit the most if there’s a multi-horse battle for the lead. He has been the victim of a slow pace in his last two and this could work out well for him.

Race 8 (7:37 p.m. ET, Lone Star Mile S.)
SLEEPY EYES TODD comes in off a powerful and easy score in the Bosselman Gus Fonner at Fonner Park last out and got his act back together after tiring in two Grade 3 races. The Lone Star main track usually plays well for a front runner of this one’s quality and you can expect him to dig in.
PIONEER SPIRIT has been a big player in several stakes races at Fair Grounds and Oaklawn and could be difficult to handle. You don’t see many horses claimed for $150,000, but in just eight months has won back the investment for his new connections.
MOCITO ROJO hasn’t won since September but last year was a big one as he developed into one of the top older horses in the region. He’ll get a rapid pace to follow and that’s a scenario that works best for him.

Race 9 (8:07 p.m. ET, Maidens)
HARD TWIST had a rough trip against some of these in his debut and he’s probably get a much better go of it this time around. ROBO ran on well for second last time should and should be able to get a clean run from the outset.

My Ticket

Race 5) #2 Fool’s Paradise, #3 Curlin’s Journey, #7 Cowgirls Like Us.

Race 6) #8 Bravura Creek, #10 Aleutian Harbour, #13 Young Hendrick.

Race 7) #2 Little Menace, #4 Sir Rick, #6 Icecap.

Race 8) #1 Sleepy Eyes Todd, #6 Pioneer Spirit, #7 Mocito Rojo.

Race 9) #7 Hard Twist, #9 Robo.

Total Ticket Cost) 2,3,7/8,10,13/2,4,6/1,6,7/7,9 = $81 for $0.50