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GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas (Monday, May 29, 2023)
More than $1.325 Million in purse money was awarded during the 12-race Lone Star Million Day card at Lone Star Park, making it the most lucrative race day for Thoroughbred racehorses in the great State of Texas.
Horses from across the nation descended upon Lone Star Park to challenge locally stabled horses in the six Memorial Day stakes races highlighted by the Grade III, $400,000 Steve Sexton Mile and $300,000 Texas Derby.
"The card our racing office put together is a testament to the racing program we've established at Lone Star Park. This is evidenced by the tremendous support from the horsemen who helped us put together such a strong card.", Lone Star Park's Executive Vice President of Racing Operations, Matt Vance stated.
"Champion quality horses and horsemen came together for the huge day of racing and world-class entertainment that is Lone Star Million Day.", Vance continued.
A total of $1,188,467 was wagered on the races with 7,144 fans in attendance.
Steve Sexton Mile
Ten veterans were sent to post in the Grade III, $400,000 Steve Sexton Mile. Frosted Grace, under a ride from Cristian Torres was able to edge clear and get the victory in the Steve Sexton Mile. The seven-year-old horse covered the mile in 1:37.99, winning by 1 1/2 lengths. After the win, trainer Robertino Diodoro spoke about Frosted Grace saying, "He is a nice horse that keeps getting better and better." With the victory, Frosted Grace improved his 2023 record to 5-3-2-0.
Frosted Grace returned $11.80 on a $2 win wager. Touchuponastar finished second and Kokokomo was third.
Texas Derby
The 2023 edition of the $300,000 Texas Derby attracted a field of 11 talented runners to Lone Star Park. Hayes Strike made his Texas debut a winning one in a thrilling race to the finish line.
After a sluggish break, Hayes Strike found himself with more than seven lengths to make up. In seventh place at the top of the stretch, the colt by Connect, dug in gamely to close the gap and was able to put his nose in front at the wire.
After the victory, jockey Cristian Torres said "I saw he broke slow and I just gave him some time and stayed after him. When I asked, he exploded for me."
Harlocap finished second and Eying Clover completed the trifecta, with only a neck separating the top three finishers.
Hayes Strike covered the mile and a sixteenth in 1:45.32. A $2 win wager returned $16.40. Hayes Strike is owned by Dixiana Farms, LLC and trained by Kenneth G. McPeek.
Speightstown Sprint
Morning line favorite Skelly left no doubt who was the best in the $100,000 Speightstown Sprint. After breaking a half step slow, the four-year-old Practical Joke gelding immediately took command of the race and never looked back. Ricardo Santana, Jr. was aboard the odds-on favorite, steering him to his sixth win from nine lifetime starts.
Skelly is owned by Red Lane Thoroughbreds and trained by Lone Star Park and North America's all-time leading trainer, Steve Asmussen.
Chamberlain Bridge Stakes
Jockey Ricardo Santana, Jr. and trainer Steve Asmussen made it back-to-back stakes wins on Memorial Day after Cogburn's victory in the $100,000 Chamberlain Bridge Stakes. The bay colt by Not This Time waited patiently mid-pack before moving four wide around the turn and besting them all in deep stretch. This was the fourth win from 9 starts for the four-year-old owned by Clark O. Brewster, William L. Heiligbrodt and Corinne Heiligbrodt.
Memorial Day Sprint
Post time favorite, Adaline Julia was able to press the pace and ultimately prevail in a duel down the stretch in the six furlong, $100,000 Memorial Day Sprint. The four-year-old bay filly owned by Jerry Caroom, ridden by Cristian Torres and trained by Robertino Diodoro, stopped the clock at 1:11.03. This was fourth career win for the four-year-old filly by Oxbow.
Ouija Board Distaff
Juncture (GB) was able to get her first win since shipping to the United States in the $200,000 Ouija Board Distaff. Tyler Gaffalione had the Brad Cox trained filly well off the pace before exploding with a late rush to get up in time for the victory. "Around the far turn I had a lot of horse." said Gaffalione. "I had quite a bit of confidence and Brad always does a great job, so when you are with him, you've got a shot." he continued.
Juncture (GB), owned by Juddmonte Farms went off as the post time favorite, returning $4.20 on a $2 win wager. Iko Iko finished second and Colors of the Wind was third.
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