Texas Chrome taking swing at Stephen Foster

Texas Chrome ran second to Mor Spirit in last month’s Grade 3, $200,000 Steve Sexton Mile at Lone Star Park. Mor Spirit came back to win the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park with a 117 Beyer Speed Figure. Now, Texas Chrome is scheduled to run Saturday at Churchill Downs in the Grade 1, $500,000 Stephen Foster.

Owner Danny Keene had been debating a start in the Stephen Foster on Tuesday and later in the afternoon sent the horse to Kentucky from his base at Lone Star Park.

“It made me feel good the way Mor Spirit ran,” said Keene.

Texas Chrome has made one start since the Steve Sexton Mile, finishing second in the Grade 3, $200,000 Lone Star Park Handicap, won by Danzing Candy. Texas Chrome earned a 100 Beyer.

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The Lone Star Park Handicap was at 1 1/16 miles, and Keene said the 1 1/8-mile distance of the Stephen Foster is appealing for Texas Chrome. Both of the horse’s Grade 3 wins came at 1 1/8 miles in last year’s Super Derby and Oklahoma Derby.

“He looks awful good, and I’m anxious to get him back to his best distance, a mile and an eighth,” said Keene.

J.R. Caldwell trained Texas Chrome last year and through the Lone Star Park Handicap, but Allen Milligan will be the trainer of record when the horse starts in the Stephen Foster. Milligan has just recently been brought on as general manager and senior trainer for Keene Thoroughbreds, said Keene. Milligan is now a private trainer for Keene, with divisions at Lone Star and Prairie Meadows.

Milligan’s first starter for Keene in his new role was to come Wednesday night at Prairie Meadows. Milligan, 50, had long operated a public racing stable and had horses for Keene. Milligan has won stakes with such horses as Haveyougoneaway and Texas Air and has won training titles at Oaklawn and Lone Star.

Keene has won multiple owner titles in Texas.

Milligan said C.J. McMahon is scheduled to ride Texas Chrome in the Stephen Foster. McMahon rode the horse in both the Super Derby and Oklahoma Derby. Entries for the Stephen Foster were to be taken Wednesday.

Texas Chrome is the reigning Texas-bred Horse of the Year. He has won 8 of 17 starts and earned $925,962.

The Steve Sexton Mile has produced another next-out stakes winner in Iron Fist, who after finishing third behind Mor Spirit and Texas Chrome went on to win the $100,000 Evangeline Mile.