Shotgun Cowboy key to Lone Star Late Pick 4

The $300,000 Lone Star Park H. (G3) serves as the headliner on the Memorial Day program, with a field of seven squaring off at the 1 1/16-mile distance, and Shotgun Cowboy can regain his winning ways. He reeled off three straight victories last season including the Oklahoma Derby (G3).

The 4yo gelding got off to a slow start this year, posting a pair of unplaced efforts at Fair Grounds and Oaklawn Park, but appears back in form for conditioner C.R. Trout, finishing a half-length second in the May 6 Texas Mile (G3) at Lone Star. Shotgun Cowboy will be forwardly-placed from the innermost post with jockey Luis Quinonez.

The 5-2 morning line favorite won’t offer much value in the straight pools but we could catch a price in one of the surrounding events in the Late Pick 4. The Lone Star Park is the third leg in the sequence that begins in Race 7.

I’ll single Shotgun Cowboy (#1) in three .50-cent tickets, with the opportunity to hit multiple times.

Here are some thoughts on the surrounding races:

Race 7: Austin’s Argument (#9) is bred to handle turf and looks like the one to catch for Steve Asmussen. Princeoffivesides (#12) enters in good form, scoring two starts back at this level and finishing a close fourth versus allowance foes last time, and figures to be rallying stoutly from just off the pace.

Race 8: Prophesy Fulfilled (#1) rolled to a sharp 8 ½-length win over maiden claiming foes at the distance, registering a field-best last-out 69 BRIS Speed rating, and will show speed from the inside. Roma Road (#3) should relish the class relief after finishing up strongly last time.

Race 10: In a Straight Line (#3) appears well-meant with a forwardly-placed trip anticipated and Whoopie Pie (#5) is eligible to fire big from off just the pace for Bret Calhoun.

Tickets

Ticket #1 (.50 Pick 4): All with 1,3 with 1 with 3,5 ($24)

Ticket #2 (.50 Pick 4): 9,12 with All with 1 with 3,5 ($20)

Ticket #3 (.50 Pick 4): 9,12 with 1,3 with 1 with All (#24)

Good luck!