It’s a Bird star of stakes-laden Lone Star program

It’s a Bird has really come on for Marty Wolfson in 2009 (Jim Lisa/Calder Race Course) IT’S A BIRD (Birdonthewire), whose blowout wins in the Oaklawn H. (G2) and Sunshine Millions Classic has turned him into a potentially serious player in the older male division, figures to be a strong favorite in Monday’s $400,000 Lone Star Park H. (G3), which anchors a six-stakes program at the Grand Prairie, Texas, course on Memorial Day, three of which carry Grade 3 status. It’s a Bird has been firing bullets in the mornings for trainer Marty Wolfson at his Calder base for the past several weeks, and will carry top weight of 121 pounds under Julien Leparoux, who has guided the Florida-bred in his last three starts. Their only loss together, a third-place effort in the slop in the New Orleans H. (G2), is book-ended by a 5 1/4-length score in the Sunshine Millions and a six-length romp last out in the Oaklawn. A repeat of either of those two efforts will make the six-year-old veteran difficult to beat. MAGNUM (Arg) (El Compinche), who captured this race in 2006, did not win again until this past February when he upset the San Antonio H. (G2) at 16-1. More recently, the eight-year-old made a middle move before faltering to sixth in the Charles Town Classic last month. David Flores, who won back-to-back editions of the Lone Star Park in 2000-01, retains the mount.

The top three finishers in the April 25 Texas Mile (G3) — JONESBORO
(Sefapiano), KING DAN (Include) and ENCAUSTIC (Broad Brush) — all need to
elevate their game to knock off the favorite. Grade 3 victor Z FORTUNE (Siphon
[Brz]) has been in a rut since a sharp second-place effort in the 2008 Arkansas
Derby (G2), while SONG OF NAVARONE (Sultry Song) rides into town on a
four-stakes winning streak against softer at Sunland Park and Zia Park

The $200,000
Ouija
Board Distaff H. (G3) drew a competitive field of eight fillies and mares to
go one mile on the turf. SWEETER STILL (Ire) (Rock of Gibraltar [Ire]), whose
signature victory occurred in the Senorita S. (G3) last season, will be making
her first start since taking the Sandy Blue H. at Del Mar more the nine months
ago. She will be joined in the starting gate by multiple stakes queen LOVE TO
TELL (Stage Colony), who was third to 20-1 longshot HOTLANTIC (Stormy Atlantic)
in the Irving Distaff last time; Apple Blossom H. (G1) runner-up SUPERIOR STORM
(Stormy Atlantic), who is making her turf debut; and FLIBBERJIBIT (Arch) and
RUSTIC FLAME (Ire) (Danehill Dancer), who have displayed some ability against
this kind in the past.

The $200,000

Dallas Turf Cup (G3) came up a little disappointing. Seven have been entered
though one, Star of Navarone, was also cross-entered in the Lone Star Park H.
The nine-furlong grass test features SEASPEAK (Mizzen Mast), a sensational 4
3/4-length winner of an allowance at Churchill in his seasonal debut. The
four-year-old had ended 2008 with second-place efforts in the Commonwealth Turf
S. (G3) and Bryan Station S. (G3), though he was disqualified from first in the
latter and placed behind the talented Cowboy Cal (Giant’s Causeway). Listed turf
winners ERNESTO (Royal Academy) and TRICKY CAUSEWAY (Giant’s Causeway) merit a
mention as does RED ROCK CREEK (Numerous), who finished third at odds of 23-1 in
the 2008 Dallas Turf Cup.

Three $100,000 stakes highlight the undercard: the
USA S.
for three-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles on the turf, the
Cinemine S. for
three-year-old fillies at seven furlongs, and the
Valid
Expectations S. for older fillies and mares at six furlongs.