Steve Sexton Mile Stakes
The Steve Sexton Mile Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually in late April at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas. A Grade III event open to horses age three and older, it is contested on dirt over a distance of one mile (8 furlongs).
| Grade III race | |
| Location | Lone Star Park Grand Prairie, Texas, United States |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1997 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
| Website | www.lonestarpark.com |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1 mile (8 furlongs) |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | Three-years-old & up |
| Weight | Assigned |
| Purse | $200,000 (2014) |
History
Inaugurated in 1997 as the Texas Mile Stakes, in 1999 it became the first graded Thoroughbred stakes race in Texas.
Beginning with the 2017 running, the race was renamed to honor Steve Sexton, a member of Lone Star Park's original management team who had died the previous year. Sexton also oversaw Churchill Downs from 2002-2009 and was the 12th president in the track's history. Sexton, an executive vice-president with Churchill Downs Inc., also served as president of Churchill Downs Entertainment Group following his time as track president.[1]
The event
In 2001, Dixie Dot Com became the only horse to win in the same year the Texas Mile and the Lone Star Park Handicap, known as "The Texas Two Step."
Among notable horses who ran in the Texas Mile but did not win were Skip Away, who finished third in 1997, and Real Quiet who finished second in 1999.
Records
Speed record:
- 1:34.44 - Isitingood (1997) (stakes and track record)
Most wins:
- 2 - Littlebitlively (1998, 1999)
Most wins by a jockey:
- 3 - David Flores (1997, 2001, 2008)
Most wins by a trainer:
- 4 - Bob Baffert (1997, 2006, 2010, 2017)
Most wins by an owner:
- 2 - Mike Pegram (1997, 2006)
- 2 - John A. Franks (1998, 1999)
Winners
| Year |
Winner |
Age |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Owner |
Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Bee Jersey | 4 | Ricardo Santana, Jr. | Steve Asmussen | Charles E. Fipke | 1:36.78 |
| 2017 | Mor Spirit | 4 | Mike E. Smith | Bob Baffert | Michael Lund Petersen | 1:36.86 |
| 2016 | Great Minds | 5 | C. J. McMahon | Albert Stall Jr. | Vince Wilfork | 1:37.68 |
| 2015 | Texas Air | 7 | Quincy Hamilton | Allen Milligan | Paul J. Rigali, Jr. | 1:37.31 |
| 2014 | Grand Contender | 6 | Richard E. Eramia | Thomas M. Amoss | Maggi Moss | 1:36.68 |
| 2013 | Master Rick | 5 | Glen Murphy | Steve Asmussen | Zayat Stables | 1:36.01 |
| 2012 | Endorsement | 5 | Robby Albarado | Eoin G. Harty | Casner Racing | 1:36.69 |
| 2011 | Thiskyhasnolimit | 4 | Justin Sheppard | Steve Asmussen | Zollars/Wagner | 1:37.28 |
| 2010 | Mythical Power | 4 | Martin Garcia | Bob Baffert | Peachtree Stable | 1:35.71 |
| 2009 | Jonesboro | 7 | Cliff Berry | Randy L. Morse | Michael Langford | 1:36.94 |
| 2008 | Monterey Jazz | 4 | David Flores | Craig Dollase | A and R Stables et al. | 1:35.25 |
| 2007 | Silent Pleasure | 4 | Tracy Hebert | Howard Scarberry | S & S Stables LLC | 1:35.39 |
| 2006 | Preachinatthebar | 5 | Jon Court | Bob Baffert | Mike Pegram | 1:36.81 |
| 2005 | High Strike Zone | 5 | Ricky Faul | Amos LaBorde | Donald Erickson | 1:35.34 |
| 2004 | Kela | 6 | David Nuesch | Mike R. Mitchell | Jay Manoogian | 1:35.64 |
| 2003 | Bluesthestandard | 6 | Martin Pedroza | Ted H. West | Jeffrey Sengara | 1:35.68 |
| 2002 | Unrullah Bull | 5 | Anthony Lovato | Cole Norman | Jim & Theresa Donnan | 1:37.78 |
| 2001 | Dixie Dot Com | 6 | David Flores | William Morey Jr. | D & C Chaiken/B & R Heller | 1:34.72 |
| 2000 | Sir Bear | 7 | Eibar Coa | Ralph Ziadie | Barbara Smollin | 1:35.98 |
| 1999 | Littlebitlively | 5 | Carlos Gonzalez | Bobby C. Barnett | John A. Franks | 1:35.65 |
| 1998 | Littlebitlively | 4 | Carlos Gonzalez | Bobby C. Barnett | John A. Franks | 1:37.07 |
| 1997 | Isitingood | 6 | David Flores | Bob Baffert | Mike Pegram/Terry Henn | 1:34.44 |
References
- "Mor Spirit Goes Wire-To-Wire To Take G3 Sexton Mile". www.paulickreport.com. Retrieved 2017-07-01.