Texas Chrome targets Lone Star Handicap

Texas Chrome ran one of the best races of his career in defeat last weekend at Lone Star Park, finishing second to Mor Spirit in the Grade 3, $200,000 Steve Sexton Mile. He stalked the pace and rallied to finish 5 3/4 lengths behind the Grade 1 winner, who earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 107. Texas Chrome earned a 98 Beyer.

“He got a great trip, and I thought we had a shot at the head of the lane,” said J.R. Caldwell, who trains Texas Chrome for Keene Thoroughbreds. “He ran great. He ran his best lifetime number.”

Caldwell said Texas Chrome emerged from the Steve Sexton Mile in good order and will now point to the Grade 3, $200,000 Lone Star Park Handicap. The 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds and up will be run May 28.

Texas Chrome, the winner of last year’s Super Derby and Oklahoma Derby, was making his second start of the year in the Steve Sexton Mile. He opened his season in April with a sixth-place finish in the Grade 2, $750,000 Oaklawn Handicap. The horse lost his left front shoe in that race, said Caldwell.

“Coming off the layoff, going from 3 to 4, you hope he steps up,” said Caldwell.

Texas Chrome did so in the Steve Sexton Mile and figures to start as one of the top choices in the Lone Star Park Handicap. Ricardo Santana Jr., who has ridden the horse in his two starts this year, will have the mount, said Caldwell.

“Santana did all his works through Oaklawn,” said Caldwell. “He likes him.”

Texas Chrome is the reigning Texas-bred Horse of the Year on the strength of a 2016 campaign that also included wins in the Prelude Stakes at Louisiana Downs and the Texas Stallion Stakes at Lone Star. Overall, the colt by Grasshopper is 8 for 16 with earnings of $887,963.

Caldwell, who has a stable at Lone Star, also has divisions at Churchill Downs and Evangeline Downs. Texas Chrome will remain at Lone Star through at least his next start, and from there, plans will be discussed with Keene Thoroughbreds, said Caldwell.

Last year, the horse ran third in the Matt Winn Stakes at Churchill Downs and second in the Iowa Derby at Prairie Meadows.