On a rainy Memorial Day at Lone Star Park, Komorebino Omoide (JPN) delivered a dazzling performance in the $400,000 Steve Sexton Mile Stakes (G3), overcoming a rough start and a sloppy, sealed track to charge home victorious.
Trained by Robertino Diodoro and ridden by Ramon Vazquez, the chestnut son of California Chrome broke awkwardly from post 9 but quickly settled mid-pack.
Vazquez bided his time, angling three wide on the far turn and slipping inside near the quarter pole before launching a decisive drive down the lane.
Under strong handling, Komorebino Omoide surged clear to win by 1¼ lengths, stopping the clock in 1:38.29 for the mile.
Perry Martin, who both bred and owns the five-year-old, celebrated as his horse secured his most significant victory to date, and gave Diodoro his third consecutive Steve Sexton Mile title.
Setting the early pace was This Is Uscar, guided by David Cabrera. The determined frontrunner carved out 24.04, 47.52, and 1:12.56 fractions, digging in gamely through the stretch but ultimately settling for second.
Heroic Move, also trained by Diodoro, put in a solid late rally from off the pace to finish third, just ahead of longshot Creative Minister, who closed from far back to claim fourth.
The 10-horse field faced testing conditions due to heavy rains, with several contenders unable to mount a serious challenge.
Touchuponastar, the second choice at 1.90-1, stalked the pace but faded late, while Number One Dude and Blue Devil were among those who weakened through the stretch.
With the win, Komorebino Omoide rewarded his backers with $5.60 to win, topping a $16.60 exacta (3-5) and a $48.85 trifecta (3-5-2).
The victory adds another chapter to the emerging story of Komorebino Omoide, who continues to develop into a formidable older horse on the dirt. Connections will no doubt have their eyes on bigger prizes later this season.
Scratched Horse(s): Run Classic (Stakes Scratch)
Fractional Times: 24.04 47.52 1:12.56 1:25.30
Final Time: 1:38.29
Winning Connections
- Winner: Komorebino Omoide (JPN)
- Jockey: Ramon Vazquez
- Trainer: Robertino Diodoro
- Owner: Perry Martin
- Breeder: Perry Martin
- Bloodline: Chestnut Horse, by California Chrome out of Decennial, by Trippi. Foaled April 08, 2020 in Japan.
California Chrome stands at Arrow Stud, in Hokkaido, Japan ($13,333 Live Foal)
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