Mor Spirit earns another big Beyer Speed Figure

Mor Spirit is establishing himself as an older horse of significance. He has earned triple-digit Beyer Speed Figures in his three starts as a 4-year-old, his latest a 107 for his 5 3/4-length victory in the Grade 3, $200,000 Steve Sexton Mile on Sunday at Lone Star Park.

Mor Spirit came into the race off a clear win in the Essex Handicap in March at Oaklawn. In that race, he covered 1 1/16 miles in a sharp 1:41.60 and earned a 105 Beyer. In his other start this year, Mor Spirit was second to Hoppertunity in the Grade 2 San Antonio at Santa Anita with a 101 Beyer.

“He has really matured,” said Bob Baffert, who trains Mor Spirit for Michael Lund Petersen. “He’s a beautiful horse.”

Mor Spirit invaded from Santa Anita for the Steve Sexton Mile. He was traveling back home Wednesday, Baffert said. Plans are to be determined.

“I thought that was a good spot for him [Sunday], and so we’re just going to pick our spots with him until the Breeders’ Cup,” Baffert said. “That’s the long-term goal.

“I like to give him time in between races. The Met Mile is a possibility. We’ll let him tell us when he’s ready to go back [and race again].”

The Grade 1, $1.2 million Metropolitan Handicap is June 10 at Belmont.

Baffert has now won 20 stakes races at Lone Star, according to track officials and Daily Racing Form records. He has supported Lone Star’s stakes program with high-class horses since its inaugural season in 1997, when he scored the first of his record four Texas Mile victories with Isitingood.

The race was renamed the Steve Sexton Mile this year to pay tribute to a key member of the original management team who died in December at the age of 57. Sexton had battled brain cancer. Lone Star media officials said Baffert called Sexton’s son, Taylor, immediately after the race Sunday.

“It felt great to win that race and honor his dad,” Baffert said Wednesday. “I’ve known his dad from way back at Lone Star. I’ve known Steve from the beginning.”

Some of Baffert’s stakes winners through the years at Lone Star have included Anet, Congaree, and Game On Dude.