Fourth Consecutive Victory For Livewires Turnpike In $79,027 Texas Hero Futurity (G1)

Turnpikes Livewire, ridden by Francisco Calderon, wins the $79,027 Texas Hero Futurity (G1) by a length at Lone Star Park on Saturday night.

GRANDE PRAIRIE, TEXAS–DECEMBER 17, 2022–Several top APHA juveniles in the industry were featured in Saturday night’s $79,027 Texas Hero Futurity (G1) at Lone Star Park. But, it was Livewires Turnpike, ridden by Francisco Calderon, who took home the trophy from the 400-yard stakes race (formerly the Lone Star Futurity) for his fourth consecutive win since September.

Fastest qualifier from the trials, Livewires Turnpike had a rough start out of the gates, but quickly overcame the mishap and took lead at first call. The two-year-old gelding never looked back, crossing the wire a full length ahead of Wl Van Halen in :19.759 seconds with a 94 speed index.

Conditioned by leading APHA trainer Matt Whitekiller, Livewires Turnpike has a record of seven wins, two thirds and one fourth from 10 starts. Three of his seven victories have been vying for stakes races, including the Pot O Gold Futurity (G1) and Oklahoma P&A Juvenile.

The winning connections of Livewires Turnpike accept $79,027 Texas Hero Futurity (G1) trophy at Lone Star Park on Saturday night.
© Coady Photography

The $30,030 winner’s share of the purse upped Livewires Turnpike’s earnings to $126,918, making him the #1 leading APHA money earning gelding of 2022.

Bred by Nolan Pevehouse of Oklahoma, Livewires Turnpike is currently owned by Bryan Hawk.

He is the son of #1 leading APHA sire CRM Livewire and is out of the Pyc Paint Your Wagon mare Wagon On Turnpike.

Second fastest qualifier from the trials,  Wl Van Halen ridden by Nestor Duran, dueled for second best and is right behind Livewires Turnpike in leading contention for gelding with most earnings, totaling $97,514.

The son of #2 leading APHA sire MHM Hotwire has a record of 7-1-1 from 11 starts, including victories in the Colors of Houston Juvenile Futurity ((G2), GCFA P&A Juvenile Stakes and Colors of the Alamos P&A Futurity. Trainer Gilberto Gonzalez saddled the two-year-old gelding for owner Guerras Racing Stables. Bred by Charles Leggett, Wl Van Halen is out of Cl Trap Queen by Sf Royal Quick Flash.

The Big Chief, piloted by Froylan Ramirez had a hard bump early on and stuck to third from gate to wire. Owned and trained by Zackery Rios, the son of Crm Livewire has four career wins with $41,218 in earnings, including the APHA 79 & Under Speed Index Futurity at Fair Meadows.

Bred by Brent and Amy Page of Oklahoma, the two-year-old gelding is out of No Pokey Okey by Okey Dokey Dale. 

The remaining order of finish is Pfr Quickwire, U Know Im Kool, Hes Bulletproof, Zbars Livewire Fs, Domestic Dude, Prissi Hank and Turnpikes Peanut.

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About Lone Star Park
Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie; A major league sports entertainment attraction that features two exciting racing seasons annually. Over 700,000 guests visit our beautiful facility each year, which features a seven-level glass-enclosed Grandstand, highlighted by our 1,200-seat Silks Dining Room and our 48 luxurious Penthouse Suites, all overlooking the newest race track in Texas. Situated next to our Grandstand is the 36,000 square foot world-class Las Vegas-style Racebook and simulcast facility, Bar & Book, which features wagering on horse racing from around the world 7-days a week year-round.

Lone Star Park is located on Beltline Road, just ½ mile north of I-30 in Grand Prairie, Texas. Visit LoneStarPark.com for more information