Mocito Rojo owned by Wayne T. Davis becomes the newest graded stakes winner after today’s victory in the Grade 3, $300,000 Steve Sexton Mile. The 5-yr-old horse by Mutadda who shipped in from Louisiana is trained by Shane Wilson.

Guided by jockey Filemon Rodriguez, Mocito Rojo raced five to six wide on the first turn and settled on the outside. Advancing near the half, he rallied wide four to five wide on the far turn making a bid at the five-sixteenths, then took the lead and was clear in the final sixteenth finishing two lengths in front of favorite King Abner.

Fractions for the mile were 23.84, 46.83, 1:11.15 and 1:23.93. Final time was 1:37.06 over a fast main racetrack.

With the $165,000 winner’s share of the purse Mocito Rojo upped his career earnings to $484,750. It was his 14th win from 22 career starts and his first graded stakes win.

Mocito Rojo went off at odds of 5.20-1 and returned $12.40; $6.20 & $4.00. The betting favorite was second placed King Abner at 2.20-1 and he returned $4.60 and $2.40 for the place. Title Ready was third and returned $2.60 for show. In fourth place was Air Strike followed by Shotgun Kowboy, G’s Turn, Phat Man, Forevamo, Analyze This Jet and Minister of Soul completed the order of finish.

Post-race quotes from Steve Sexton Mile

Winning trainer – Shane Wilson

“He ran some big races in the wintertime, he had some 115, 114 E Speed Figures and we got to looking around at some of the Grade 3’s are running 108, 109’s and you know you want to take a step and try something like this, but you’re always nervous because maybe he can do it against lesser competition, but not against better horses, and he stepped up and did it like we hoped he would. He’s just been a dream come true. Every time we’ve stepped him up he’s responded and run bigger, every time. He’s been a dream. We’ll see how he comes out of this and we’ll spot him in some good spots hopefully.”

 

Sunday, April 28 is the $300,000 Grade 3, Steve Sexton Mile for 3-yr-olds & up. Gates open early at noon. First race post time is 1:35 p.m. The Sexton Mile is the seventh race on the 10 race card and is scheduled to go to post at 4:40 p.m. (CT)

As Lone Star Park’s premiere race of the meeting, the Sexton Mile has proved an important prep for the Grade 1, $1.2 million Metropolitan Handicap held at Belmont Park on the undercard of their Belmont Stakes Day program. The past two winners of the Sexton Mile, Bee Jersey in 2018 and Mor Spirit in 2017 both went on to win the Metropolitan, a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” qualifying race.

That could be on the mind of owner Charles E. Fipke for his horse Title Ready. The graded stakes placed 4-yr-old colt by More Than Ready is one of the two horses entered by Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen. He placed in the Stymie Stakes, his most recent effort, at Aqueduct last month.

Philip D’Amato may have that goal in mind as well for the two he shipped in for the Sexton. King Abner, a 5-yr-old gelding by Hansen and Air Strike, a 4-yr-old colt by Street Sense both arrived Wednesday from their west coast base. The mile distance has been a good spot for the speedy King Abner. He’s won two of four attempts at the distance, placing in the other two. An early speed contest, and there are several in that like to run near the front, could set the race up perfect for closers like Air Strike and Title Ready.

Multiple Stakes winner Mocito Rojo, trained by Shane Wilson and owned by Wayne T. Davis, is suited well for the one mile contest. The 5-yr-old horse by Mutadda has won four of seven races at this distance.

The fairly evenly matched field of 10 in Sunday’s Sexton Mile each have a chance to get the prize. Here are the entries by post position from the rail out with jockey name and morning line odds:

1) Title Ready, Richard Eramia, 5-2
2) G’s Turn, C J McMahon, 30-1
3) Phat Man, Alex Beschizza, 10-1
4) King Abner, Tyler Baze, 3-1
5) Analyze This Jet, Sasha Risenhoover, 30-1
6) Air Strike, Joe Talamo, 10-1
7) Forevamo, Iram Diego, 20-1
8) Minister of Soul, Lindey Wade, 6-1
9) Mocito Rojo, Filemon Rodriguez, 9-2
10) Shotgun Kowboy, David Cabrera, 12-1

The New York Racing Association is hosting a cross country Pick 5 wager which features races from Belmont Park and Lone Star Park races including this year’s Steve Sexton Mile. All five races will be broadcast live nationwide on Fox Sports’ FS2 as part of their America’s Day at the Races program.

Racing Analyst Jonathon Kinchen will be on-track Sunday at Lone Star Park offering his expert analysis of the Sexton Mile.

TVG Racing Analyst Gabby Gaudet will be at Lone Star Sunday offering her handicapping expertise on the race as well.
Cross Country Pick 5
Leg 1: Belmont Park – Race 7, 3:45 p.m.
Leg 2: Lone Star Park – Race 6, 4:05 pm
Leg 3: Belmont Park – Race 8, 4:18 p.m.
Leg 4: Lone Star Park – Grade 3 $300,000 Steve Sexton Mile – Race 7, 4:40 pm
Leg 5: Belmont Park – $125,000 License Fee – Race 9, 4:51 p.m.

All Times are CT

$100,000 Guaranteed Late Pick 4
Lone Star will host three Pick 4 wagers Sunday. The first begins with Race 1, the second with Race 4, and the late guaranteed at $100,000 will begin with Race 7, the featured G3 $300,000 Steve Sexton Mile.
Sexton Mile Day Challenge
We’re giving away four seats to the National Horseplayers Championship in our 2nd annual
Steve Sexton Mile Day Challenge. For more information go to: LoneStarPark.com/Handicapping-Tournaments.