Presidential, Kupuna, Frosted Grace possible for Steve Sexton Mile

Presidential, Kupuna and Frosted Grace have each won a major stakes in the Southwest region in their last start and all could land at Lone Star Park this meet for the Grade 3, $400,000 Steve Sexton Mile.

The race is the centerpiece of a 41-date meet that opens Thursday night. The season will continue through July 14. The races again are unable to be simulcast to U.S. locales other than Texas racetracks due to an ongoing impasse between the Texas Racing Commission and the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority. Texas does not operate under the jurisdiction of HISA.

The Sexton Mile will anchor the Lone Star Million Day card of six stakes worth a cumulative $1.2 million on May 27. It is for 3-year-olds and up and it ranks as the richest Thoroughbred race in Texas.

Presidential is coming off a brave win in the $200,000 Sunland Park Handicap on April 7, battling between horses for a neck victory. He won under a high-percentage Sunland rider in Luis Fuentes, but prepped for the race with apprentice Erik Asmussen.

:: Subscribe to the DRF Post Time Email Newsletter: Get the news you need to play today's races!

“It was a great win by Presidential and Erik wants an assist on that one,” said trainer Steve Asmussen, Erik's father. “Presidential had been at Houston and Erik had been working him, and exercising him, and he told me he’d never been better and I have to agree with him.”

Asmussen said Presidential is now settled in at Lone Star and is under consideration for the Sexton Mile. The horse races for Courtlandt Farms.

Kupuna is coming off a win in the $100,000 Evangeline Mile, which is the most significant race of the meet at Evangeline Downs. He stormed home by 5 1/2 lengths and for his first stakes win earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 93.

“Kupuna ran a great race,” trainer Bret Calhoun said. “It was good to see him perform like that. He always had talent. He had some idiosyncrasies that cost him. It looks like he’s matured mentally and put it together.

“He’s nominated to stakes Derby weekend at Churchill Downs and also is highly under consideration for the Steve Sexton Mile.”

Calhoun noted Kupuna has Texas-based ownership in Wayne Sanders and Highlander Training Center.

Frosted Grace won the Grade 3, $500,000 Oaklawn Mile last month and trainer Mike Maker said the horse would be considered for Sexton Mile. Frosted Grace won the race in 2023.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.