Steve Sexton Mile purse increased to $300,000

The purse of the Grade 3 Steve Sexton Mile - which has produced the last two winners of the Metropolitan Handicap - has been increased to $300,000, Lone Star Park announced Thursday afternoon. The date for the race formerly worth $200,000 has been moved back a week to April 28.

Last year, Bee Jersey won the Steve Sexton Mile one start before capturing the Met Mile at Belmont Park. His success came after Mor Spirit pulled the same double in 2017.

The increase makes the Steve Sexton Mile the co-richest Thoroughbred race in Texas, along with the Grade 3 Houston Ladies Classic on Jan. 27 at Sam Houston.

The Steve Sexton Mile is for 3-year-olds and up. The Sexton Mile is the former Texas Mile, re-named to honor Steve Sexton, an original member of the Lone Star Park management team who died in 2016. His family established a scholarship fund to fulfill his wishes, and the first two recipients from the Steve Sexton Foundation will be awarded on Steve Sexton Mile Day.

Lone Star Park opens for a 44-date meet April 18. The season runs through July 21.