Mister Omaha Tries The Turf At Lone Star Park
The Californer/10350244

PURCELL, Okla. - Californer -- With a record of 16 starts, 9 wins, 1 second and 2 thirds all on the dirt, one would ask why change a thing?

Well, the connections always wanted to try the 4-year-old colt on the turf.  His pedigree, Omaha Beach (War Front) out of the Juddmonte home bred, Cosmic Code (Into Mischief), does look to distance and possibility for a future on the turf.  And that is why Trainer Joe Offolter has decided to try Mister Omaha in the Texas Turf Classic Stakes to be run at Lone Star Park on Saturday, June 27th, 2026.

He will be ridden by his regular pilot, Luis Quinonez, who has been aboard Mister Omaha for all of his 9 wins.

Owner Bryan Hawk, when starting WestWin Farms, the stellar breeding farm in Purcell, OK, always wanted a broodmare by Into Mischief.  He did his homework and found Cosmic Code, a winner of only one victory to her name, was being sold as a broodmare or racing prospect in the November Sale at Keeneland in 2019. When the hammer fell on hip number 2992, Bryan paid $50,000.00 for the then filly.

After the purchase, he took her back to Oklahoma, had her assessed by Dr. Mike Major which at Oakridge Veterinarian Clinic a chip was removed from a front ankle.

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She was sent to Red Earth Training Center, where she rehabbed and prepared for her return to the track under Joe Offolter.  She won her first allowance race on Sept 17, 2020 under Luis Quinonez. After two more starts, the decision was made to breed Cosmic Code to Omaha Beach, who stands at Spendthrift Farms.

Also in the field in the Texas Turf Classic is Saline River, a gelding conditioned by Robertino Diodoro for owner Charles Garvey.  He was bred by Shortleaf Stable (John Ed Anthony) and racked up 10 wins from 27 starts. All 10 wins for Saline River have been on the turf and one win at Lone Star Park.  He ran his highest Beyer number on the turf at Turf Paradise winning the Fitzsimmons Handicap by 5 and 3/4 lengths and posting a 94 Beyer speed figure. Saline River will be ridden by Giovani Franco, who is trying Lone Star for the first time in 2026 and a super meet with already 20 wins under his belt.

A couple of shippers coming in for the $250,000 stake race are Willy D's, trained by Mike Maker, Mesero for trainer Dale Romans and Giocosco, a son of Not This Time for trainer Keith Desormeaux. Steve Asmussen, who has already won 383 races this year, sends out Gigante in the Texas Turf Classic Stakes, with his son Erik Asmussen aboard.

The forecast for this Saturday is looking to be clear, but hot with the highs in the 90's