Hanson: Pick 4 for Stars of Texas Day at Lone Star Park

Sunday's $50,000 Guaranteed All Stakes Pick 4 at Lone Star Park encompasses four stakes for Texas-bred or -sired horses, including a pair of contentious races for two-year-olds whose careers are just getting started. Here are thoughts on the sequence that begins at 6:35 p.m. (EDT).

Race 7 -- $50,000 Assault

Second in this race last year to the graded quality Texas Chrome, #5 SUPERMASON is easily the horse to beat. He's beaten #1 RUMPOLE in back-to-back starts, but the latter has the speed and inside draw to perhaps shake loose here.

Race 8 -- $100,000 Texas Thoroughbred Futurity (fillies)

The maiden #1 ADVENTUROUS LADY drew the rail, which can be tricky, but potentially has more speed than the rest. Second best last time at Churchill Downs for Steve Asmussen. #3 SILVER MOON RISING won at first asking for Karl Broberg, overcoming an early bump and winning a speed duel. Also prevailing in a duel first out was #5 TINSTELTOWN FLYER, who beat several of these in a 10-1 upset four weeks ago.

Race 9 -- $50,000 Valor Farm

Five of the seven older fillies and mares here competed in this event 12 months ago. Last year's top three -- #9 PRADA'S BLING, #1 ZIPPIT E, and #6 KAT'S INFATUATION -- merit respect again, but longshot #3 VALID BRIDE worth a look, too, after a tightener last month against the top two boys contesting the Assault.

Race 10 -- $100,000 Texas Thoroughbred Futurity (colts and geldings)

Asmussen and Broberg may again hold the cards with #6 STUPIFY and #7 WAKEFIELD, respectively. Asmussen also saddles Churchill graduate #4 B. B. DUDE, while #11 MORO CHARLIE may pick up some pieces while adding blinkers.

Here's the 50-cent ticket:

1,5 with 1,3,5 with 1,3,6,9 with 4,6,7,11 = $48.

Good luck!