How to Bet the Lone Star Park Handicap

A trio of millionaires will lead a field of five to the starting gate in Sunday’s $200,000 Lone Star Park H. (G3).

#1 MUBTAAHIJ – Bob Baffert trainee makes his first appearance since finishing a good third in the $10 million Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1). Six-year-old has amassed more than $5.7 million in lifetime earnings and notched a Grade-1 tally last season in his first run since returning from the desert. Bay gets the rail with Mike Smith coming out to ride being a big positive. The 1 1/16-miles trip is less than the well-traveled Mubtaahij prefers, though.

#2 FULL OF LUCK – Son of Lookin At Lucky ships here from the Golden State off a fourth-place finish in the Californian (G2). Jerry Hollendorfer pupil is a classy Group-1 victor making a third run since arriving in the U.S. Five-year-old showed early foot last time and also gets a quality pilot to come along for the voyage with Flavien Prat up.

#3 SHOTGUN KOWBOY – Third in this event last year, the seven-figure earner weakened to third in the local prep for this race. C. R. Trout pupil brings some class and pace to the race. In fact, Shotgun Kowboy looks like the likely pacesetter and has never missed the board from five assignments at Lone Star. Luis Quinonez rides.

#4 FEAR THE COWBOY – Efren Loza trainee has knocked heads with some mighty foes this campaign, finishing third in the Santa Anita H. (G1) and Charles Town Classic (G2) in his last pair, and six-year-old romped in a Grade 3 event four starts previously at today’s distance. The cut back in trip should benefit Fear the Cowboy and Luis Negron will guide the late runner.

#5 SOUTH BEACH – Long shot in the field draws clear outside for Steve Asmussen. Lightly raced sort will wear blinkers for his graded debut after being outrun in the Steve Sexton Mile (G3) most recently. A winner in his first pair of races, $1.8 million Tapit colt will need vast improvement today beneath Iram Diego.

Analysis

Shotgun Kowboy looks to be the fleetest in the field and will go early. Full of Luck brings California pace to the race and should be tracking in second during the early stages with Prat.

Mubtaahij will be next while saving ground and would appreciate a speed duel from the aforementioned pair, as would Fear the Cowboy.

I have full respect for both Mubtaahij and Fear the Cowboy, and the class of runners that each has been facing. But I am siding with the speed today.

Wager

$20 Win and Place: #3 SHOTGUN KOWBOY ($40)

$10 Trifecta part-wheel: 2,3 with 2,3 with 1,4 ($40)