Steve Sexton Mile Stakes

Inaugurated in 1997 as the Texas Mile Stakes, in 1999 it became the first graded Thoroughbred stakes race in Texas.

Beginning with the 2017 running, the race was renamed to honor Steve Sexton, a member of Lone Star Park's original management team who had died the previous year. Sexton also oversaw Churchill Downs from 2002-2009 and was the 12th president in the track's history. Sexton, an executive vice-president with Churchill Downs Inc., also served as president of Churchill Downs Entertainment Group following his time as track president.[1]

In 2001, Dixie Dot Com became the only horse to win in the same year the Texas Mile and the Lone Star Park Handicap, known as "The Texas Two Step."

Among notable horses who ran in the Texas Mile but did not win were Skip Away, who finished third in 1997, and Real Quiet who finished second in 1999.

Speed record:

• 1:34.44 - Isitingood (1997) (stakes and track record)

Most wins:

• 2 - Littlebitlively (1998, 1999)

Most wins by a jockey:

• 3 - David Flores (1997, 2001, 2008)

Most wins by a trainer:

• 4 - Bob Baffert (1997, 2006, 2010, 2017)

Most wins by an owner:

• 2 - Mike Pegram (1997, 2006)
• 2 - John A. Franks (1998, 1999)

• The 2009 Texas Mile Stakes at the NTRA