Race Details
- Event: Wayne Hanks Memorial Stakes
- Date: Sunday, June 8, 2025
- Time: 7:23 PM CT
- Venue: Lone Star Park, Grand Prairie, TX
- Distance: 6 ½ furlongs (Dirt)
- Purse: $75,000 (Includes $49,000 from TTA Event Fund)
- Eligible Horses: Accredited Texas-Bred, 3-Year-Olds & Up
Field Overview & Contenders
The Wayne Hanks Memorial Stakes at Lone Star Park features a competitive lineup of Texas-bred thoroughbreds, each bringing speed, stamina, and pedigree strength to the track. With a 6 ½ furlong distance, expect a fast-paced race where early speed and tactical positioning will be crucial.
Top Horses to Watch
- Bandera Bling (TX) – Too Much Bling x Bandera Red (Valid Expectations)
- Trainer: Karen E. Jacks
- Jockey: Iram Diego
- Owner: Julie Smoak & Desra Schlansky
- Key Strengths: Proven sprinter with strong Texas-bred pedigree.
- Bling Mountain (TX) – Too Much Bling x Mountain Kitten (Mountain Cat)
- Trainer: Brent Davidson
- Jockey: Richard Eramia
- Owner: James D. Pratt
- Key Strengths: Speed-focused genetics with aggressive racing style.
- Champagne Stooper (TX) – Champagne Room x Stooper (Unbridled’s Song)
- Trainer: J.R. Caldwell
- Jockey: Rene Diaz
- Owner: Farmers Fillies Racing & Steve Dupy
- Key Strengths: Consistent performer with strong front-running ability.
- Coalcowboy (TX) – Coal Front x Cowboy Charm (Silver Charm)
- Trainer: Steve Martin
- Jockey: Stewart Elliott
- Owner: Mike Abney & Sherry Abney
- Key Strengths: Explosive speed with high win percentage.
- Dust Em (TX) – Early Flyer x Dusty’s Legacy (Valid Expectations)
- Trainer: Karen E. Jacks
- Jockey: Floyd Wethey Jr.
- Owner: Carl Moore Management LLC
- Key Strengths: Proven stakes performer with strong stamina.
- Fort Hood (TX) – My Golden Song x Texas Belle (Early Flyer)
- Trainer: Brent Davidson
- Jockey: Alfredo Juarez Jr.
- Owner: Stephen R. Baker
- Key Strengths: Front-runner with endurance.
- Gold Pilot (TX) – My Golden Song x Peppy Pilot (Fusaichi Pegasus)
- Trainer: W. Bret Calhoun
- Jockey: David Cabrera
- Owner: Wayne Sanders & Larry Hirsch
- Key Strengths: Veteran stakes runner with dominant sprint record.
- Josh’s Dream (TX) – Too Much Bling x Dreaming of Josh (Josh’s Madelyn)
- Trainer: Alan Love Sr.
- Jockey: Mario Fuentes
- Owner: Ken Pullen
- Key Strengths: Strong late closer with Texas-bred advantage.
- Tx Code (TX) – Texas Red x Code Name (Bernardini)
- Trainer: W. Bret Calhoun
- Jockey: David Cabrera
- Owner: Mansfield Racing
- Key Strengths: Speedy front-runner with aggressive racing style.
- Turn North (TX) – Northern Afleet x Turn the Tide (Unbridled’s Song)
- Trainer: Abel Rodriguez
- Jockey: Ramon Vazquez
- Owner: Russell Welch
- Key Strengths: Strong late closer with Texas-bred advantage.
Race Strategy & Betting Insights
- Pace Projection: Expect Coalcowboy and Tx Code to set the early pace, while Gold Pilot and Josh’s Dream will likely close late.
- Best Bet: Gold Pilot to Win – Strong speed figures and elite Texas-bred pedigree.
- Value Bet: Dust Em to Place – Consistent top-three finisher.
- Longshot Play: Turn North to Show – Texas-bred advantage on home turf.
