Publisher Looks to Author First Graded Stakes Triumph

Nearly a year ago, Publisher was among the field for the Kentucky Derby (G1) following a runner-up effort in the Arkansas Derby (G1). But a troubled trip left him 14th in the Run for the Roses. 

Since then, the American Pharoah colt has been searching for his first graded victory, missing the board in three attempts since last May and 0-1-0 from seven starts in such races. But his latest chance to put a '1' in that first column comes May 25 in the Steve Sexton Mile Stakes (G3) at Lone Star Park.

The 1-mile test carries a purse of $400,000 and will be contested by a field of nine 3-year-olds and up.

He bounced back from the Kentucky Derby with a pair of fourths in the Indiana Derby (G3) and Oklahoma Derby (G3). Publisher than ran off a pair of seconds in maiden special weights to cap the year. 

Trainer Steve Asmussen has the 4-year-old in good form heading into the Memorial Day race. Three wins to open the year, including the race named after his sire, the American Pharoah Overnight Stakes. Last time out, he finished fourth in the Oaklawn Handicap (G2).

Publisher is the 3-1 second choice on the morning line. 

The 9-5 favorite is the Louisiana-bred multimillionaire Touchuponastar, who comes into Monday on a five-race winning streak. Set-Hut's Star Guitar  gelding won the March 21 New Orleans Classic Stakes (G2) by a half-length.

Touchuponastar is 5-for-10 at a mile and 0-for-3 at Lone Star where he's just missed in the last three editions of the Sexton. He's been knocking on the door. He finished second in 2023 and 2024 before finishing fifth last year—the only start of his 28-race career that the 7-year-old didn't hit the board. 

Also in the field is the Japan-bred Komorebino Omoide. The 6-year-old has one win in seven graded stakes—last year's Sexton. He won that by 2 1/4 lengths. 

Entries: Steve Sexton Mile S. (G3)

Lone Star Park, Monday, May 25, 2026, Race 12

• Grade III
• 1m
• Dirt
• $400,000
• 3 yo's & up
• 7:07 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Heavenville (KY)	Rene Diaz	120	J. R. Caldwell	20/1
2	2Touchuponastar (LA)	Timothy Thornton	124	Jeff Delhomme	9/5
3	3Neoequos (FL)	Irad Ortiz, Jr.	120	Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.	6/1
4	4Will Take It (KY)	Luis Saez	124	Dallas Stewart	12/1
5	5Komorebino Omoide (JPN)	Ramon A. Vazquez	122	Robertino Diodoro	9/2
6	6This Is Uscar (KY)	Cristian A. Torres	122	Jordan Blair	12/1
7	7Publisher (KY)	Erik Asmussen	122	Steven M. Asmussen	3/1
8	8Gigante (VA)	Stewart Elliott	120	Steven M. Asmussen	10/1
9	9Heroic Move (KY)	Geovanni Franco	120	Robertino Diodoro	5/1

Preceding the Sexton is the $200,000 Ouija Board Distaff Stakes at 1 mile on turf. 

Favored at 2-1 in that race is the Joe Sharp-trained Vive Veuve. She's making her 2026 debut Monday and will have Irad Ortiz Jr. in the irons. 

The second choice (3-1) is also trained by Sharp. Miwa will also be making her season debut and will be ridden by Jose Ortiz. 

Entries: Ouija Board Distaff S.

Lone Star Park, Monday, May 25, 2026, Race 11

• STK
• 1m
• Turf
• $200,000
• 3 yo's & up Fillies and Mares
• 6:37 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Miwa (GB)	Jose L. Ortiz	124	Joe Sharp	3/1
2	2Vive Veuve (KY)	Irad Ortiz, Jr.	122	Joe Sharp	2/1
3	3Lucky Speech (KY)	Erik Asmussen	120	Steven M. Asmussen	8/1
4	4Love You Anyway (KY)	Luis Saez	124	Steven M. Asmussen	5/1
5	5Moonlight Gambler (KY)	Iram Vargas Diego	120	Tristan Ashford	30/1
6	6Ziti (FR)	Floyd Wethey Jr.	120	Dick Cappellucci	20/1
7	7Tizawiz (KY)	Deshawn L. Parker	120	W. Bret Calhoun	12/1
8	8Fantastical (KY)	Julien R. Leparoux	124	Joe Sharp	4/1
9	9Miss Metoyer (KY)	Edward Santiago	118	Benard Chatters	20/1
10	10Multiplication (KY)	Jose L. Alvarez	120	W. Bret Calhoun	12/1

Sharp also leads the top pick for the Speightstown Sprint Stakes, run over 6 furlongs on the main track. 

Kavod, the 7-year-old Lea gelding, will make his first start in a graded stakes since the 2023 Woodford Stakes (G2T).

Entries: Speightstown Sprint S.

Lone Star Park, Monday, May 25, 2026, Race 10

• STK
• 6f
• Dirt
• $100,000
• 3 yo's & up
• 5:55 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Kavod (KY)	Jose L. Ortiz	122	Joe Sharp	7/2
2	2Neiman (KY)	Julien R. Leparoux	122	Justin R. Evans	20/1
3	3For All Mankind (KY)	Luis Saez	120	John W. Sadler	9/2
4	4Colleague (KY)	Alfredo J. Juarez, Jr.	120	Shawn H. Davis	30/1
5	5Stonehenge (KY)	Cristian A. Torres	122	Justin R. Evans	15/1
6	6Surveillance (KY)	Lane J. Luzzi	124	Tristan Ashford	15/1
7	7Dancin for Gold (KY)	Floyd Wethey Jr.	124	Terry Eoff	10/1
8	8Souper Tuscan (ON)	Irad Ortiz, Jr.	122	Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.	8/1
9	9Master Mule (KY)	Ramon A. Vazquez	124	Abel Ramirez-Rodriguez	4/1
10	10Blue Light (KY)	Rene Diaz	122	J. R. Caldwell	10/1
11	11Booth (KY)	Erik Asmussen	120	Steven M. Asmussen	5/1
12	12Mikel W (TX)	Jose L. Alvarez	124	Carlos A. Padilla	20/1