Hot trainer spotlight: Bret Calhoun

Since Jan. 4, Bret Calhoun has won 17-of-45 starts, a 38% strike rate. He went 5-for-10 over a five-day stretch from Jan. 19-24.

The Midwest-based trainer has captured his lone start at Oaklawn Park, 2-of-4 starts at Delta Downs, 5-of-20 starts at Sam Houston and a whopping 9-of-20 starts at Fair Grounds during the current hot streak.

Trainer Stats over the last 60 days from Brisnet

Calhoun made national headlines in 2010, winning the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) with eventual champion Dubai Majesty and the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G2) with Chamberlain Bridge. The 55-year-old conditioner recorded his 3,000^th career victory at Fair Grounds last February, and trained a pair of prominent performers during 2019 in Louisiana Derby (G2) winner By My Standards and multiple graded stakes-winning millionaire Mr. Money.

The Calhoun barn will be back in action Wednesday at Sam Houston with a quartet of runners: Tasmin (6-1) in Race 1; Houston Strong (8-1) in Race 7; Legendary Larry (4-1) in Race 8; and Noble Love (5-1) in Race 9.

Calhoun went 3-for-3 one afternoon at Fair Grounds earlier this month, and his barn has showed no signs of cooling down at the New Orleans track with three wins in the last nine starts.

Thursday’s program at Fair Grounds features a pair of Calhoun runners in Bold Rey (5-2), who will try to make it two straight in Race 6; and Lawton (5-2), who is also pursuing a second consecutive local tally in Race 7.