Texas Air scores upset in Texas Mile

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas – Texas Air did his home state proud Friday night at Lone Star Park, where he closed with a rush to capture the Grade 3, $200,000 Texas Mile at 24-1. He won by three-quarters of a length over Hip Four Sixtynine, while it was another neck back to Rise Up in third.

“It’s great taking a Texas homebred and winning a Grade 3,” said Allen Milligan, who trains Texas Air for Paul J. Rigali Jr.

Texas Air ($51.40) settled well off the early fractions as Rise Up took the field through an opening quarter in 23.16 seconds, a half-mile in 46.36, and six furlongs in 1:10.88, pushed along by eventual sixth-place finisher Sr. Quisqueyano. Texas Air rallied through the lane, covering the distance on a track rated fast in 1:37.31.

“We got clear at the top of the stretch,” said winning rider Quincy Hamilton. “I knew I was really well mounted, and we just brought it on home. I couldn’t have been more confident in him.”

Milligan, who won the first graded stakes race of his career Friday, said Texas Air is getting better with age. The Texas Mile was the first open-company stakes win for the 7-year-old gelding, who last year defeated fellow Texas-breds in the Star of Texas Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park.

“He handles things a lot better now than he did when he was young,” Milligan said. “He never would rate when he was younger. He always wanted to go now. He’s learning to relax and is getting some confidence about him.”

Texas Air came into the Texas Mile off an optional-claiming win in a deep race March 26 at Oaklawn.

“My hat goes off to Allen Milligan,” Rigali said. “Allen’s made this horse. Quincy Hamilton fit him like a glove. I’ve never been this happy in this business.”

Sr. Quisqueyano was the Texas Mile favorite off a runner-up finish to Commissioner in the Grade 3 Skip Away at Gulfstream Park. Trainer Peter Walder said following the Texas Mile that the horse appeared to be in good physical condition and scoped clean. The horse is scheduled to return to south Florida on Wednesday, said Walder.

The Texas Mile is the co-richest race of the meet, sharing the distinction with the Grade 3, $200,000 Lone Star Park Handicap that will be run May 25. Milligan said Texas Air is a candidate for the Lone Star Handicap.

Texas Air earned $110,000 for his win in the Texas Mile. A son of Texas City, he has won eight of 39 starts and $341,774.

Handle on the 10-race card from all sources was $1,336,961. Attendance was 8,578.