Blue Devil is set to return to graded stakes company in the $400,000 G3 Steve Sexton Mile on Monday, May 26 (Memorial Day) at Lone Star Park. Trainer Steve Asmussen has tabbed Erik Asmussen to ride. He will be the #10 among a field of 11 carded as the day’s 11th race. Post time is 6:37 PM CT / 5:37 PM MT.
There is no denying that this is an ambitious spot for our son of Uncle Mo. However, he did take a minor stakes race going the same distance two back, and if he can get back to his best form, it would make him competitive here. We also take it as a positive and a vote of confidence that Steve picked out this race and has not wavered.
More on the competition:
#1 Number One Dude: Finished 7th in a field of 8 allowance foes n his most recent start, earning a 75 Beyer. Will need major improvement to be competitive in this race.
#2 Heroic Move: Finished ahead of Blue Devil last time out when taking the Sunland Park S. by open lengths, earning a 91 Beyer Figure. He has kept decent company, running behind Dubai World Cup winner Hit Show several times this year. His best race makes him a contender in here and he goes out for a barn that is red-hot at the meet, winning at a 40% clip with 11 of 15 runners thus far finishing top three.
#3 Komorebino Omoide (Jpn): A stablemate to the runner to his inside, this horse was most recently seen demolishing a weak stakes field at Fonner Park. Perhaps that was the confidence boost that he needed to make him a factor in here. He did earn a 100 Beyer three back when second in the G3 Mineshaft S.—that figure could certainly best this bunch if replicated.
#4 U.S. Army: Finished 5th in a field of 8 against allowance company in his most recent start where he earned a 80 Beyer. Sports some back-class, but will need major improvement to be competitive in this race.
#5 This Is Uscar: Cleared his second-level allowance condition two starts back in an off-the-turf event at Keeneland. Took his first swing at graded stakes company in the G2 Alysheba last time out where he finished 5th of 6 among a salty bunch, earning a career high 94 Beyer for the effort. Will have to take another step forward to vie for a placing in here.
#6 Frankie’s Empire: Last year's third place-finisher in the G2 Fountain of Youth S., this colt was most recently third in a stake at Evangeline Downs in what was his first start off of an extended layoff. He should improve off of that effort, however that may not be sufficient against this group.
#7 Creative Minister: Was claimed by his current connections for $50K three starts back. Most recently he took a turf route allowance race and earned an 87 Beyer. Has some back-class, but this is certainly an ambitious spot for him.
#8 The Wine Steward: Was a pretty solid three-year-old in the first half of 2024, even achieving a Grade 1 placing. Won his 2025 debut off of an extended layoff where he earned a 96 Beyer, but followed that up with a disappointing run in the G3 Oaklawn Mile. Has only been off the board once in his career. Can certainly vie for a top placing in here. [NOTE: Ran in the 2024 Belmont against Seize The Grey.]
#9 Touchuponastar: The Louisiana-bred wonder horse is a model of consistency and just seems to keep getting better with age. He as strung together three triple-digit Beyers for his starts so far this year and will likely be the favorite in this race. He proved that he can run with the best when he defeated Eclipse champion Sierra Leone two starts back in the New Orleans Classic. Has never been off of the board in 22 career starts.
#11 Run Classic: A sprint type who will try his hand around two turns once again in here. His best races have come around one turn and he is certainly up against it against this group.
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