GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas – Heroic Move won the Grade 3, $400,000 Steve Sexton Mile for the second time in his career Monday, while giving trainer Robertino Diodoro his fourth straight win in the richest race at Lone Star Park. The Sexton Mile also is the richest Thoroughbred race in Texas. It was the centerpiece of the annual Lone Star Million Day card of six stakes worth a total of $1.2 million. Heroic Move ($13.60) last won the Sexton Mile in 2024. The 6-year-old trailed the field early on Monday, as Heavenville jumped out to the lead and set fractions of 23.07 seconds for the opening quarter, 46.10 for the half-mile and 1:10.62 for six furlongs while pushed along by Touchuponastar. Heroic Move began his advance into the final turn, came seven wide into the stretch, and rolled through the lane to overtake Neoequos. The latter had advanced up the rail to take the lead in the later stages. Heroic Move covered the distance on a fast track in 1:36.92. Geovanni Franco was aboard Heroic Move. :: Access the most trusted data and information in horse racing! DRF Past Performances and Picks are available now. “The first thing that Franco said when he came back was how relaxed [Heroic Move] was,” Diodoro said. “He just got the perfect trip. The horse likes to run on the outside and have pace to run at, so it really worked out. He ran the way he’s trained the last few weeks.” Heroic Move won by 1 1/2 lengths over Neoequos. It was another three-quarters of a length back in third to Gigante. Touchuponastar, the favorite who was making his fourth appearance in the race, finished another three-quarters of a length back in fourth Monday. Diodoro first won the Sexton Mile in 2023 with Frosted Grace. Following the win with Heroic Move a year later, he saddled Komorebino Omoide captured the race in 2025. “I love Lone Star and to win their biggest race four years in a row, that makes it pretty special,” Diodoro said. “And for this horse to win it twice – he’s just been such a solid horse for us. It’s pretty special to win two of the last four with the same horse. He’s a big part of the stable.” Heroic Move is a son of Quality Road and the Grade 2-winning mare Family Tree. The millionaire races for the partnership of Arnold Bennewith, Rick Wiest, Clayton Wiest, Lana Wiest, Randy Howg, Norman Tremblay, and R 6 Stable. Stakes triple for Ortiz Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., had a stakes triple on Monday in his first ever trip to Lone Star Park. He picked up his first win in the $300,000 Texas Derby with Desert Gate. Ortiz then captured the $100,000 Speightstown with Souper Tuscan and the $200,000 Ouija Board Distaff with Vive Veuve. “I’m happy to be at Lone Star,” Ortiz said in an interview conducted by the track. Souper Tuscan held off a fast closing For All Mankind to win the Speightstown by a neck. It was another 1 3/4 lengths back in third to favorite Booth. “I kept the horse busy and he got the job done,” said Ortiz, who was aboard for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. Souper Tuscan ($11) rallied behind fractions of 22.11 seconds for the opening quarter and 45.04 for the half-mile before covering the six furlongs for 3-year-olds and up on a track rated fast in 1:10.65. Souper Tuscan is a son of Vino Rosso. He is owned by C2 Racing Stable. Souper Tuscan has now won 5 of 11 starts for earnings of $223,029. Vive Veuve ($4.40) shuttled up the rail to win the $200,000 Ouija Board Distaff that was moved from turf to a fast main track. She caught pacesetter Tizawiz nearing the wire for a half-length win over that one. It was another 3 1/4 lengths back in third to Multiplication. Ortiz was aboard Vive Veuve for trainer Joe Sharp. The winner covered the mile in 1:38.88. Vive Veuve is a daughter of Collected who races for Carl Moore Management. She has now won 5 of 19 starts for earnings of $725,221. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.