The Lone Star Derby is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held annually at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas. It is currently an Ungraded stakes race run over a distance of 8.5 furlongs on turf.
Inaugurated in 1997 as an ungraded stakes race, it was elevated to Grade III status in 2002. The race was downgraded by the American Graded Stakes Committee (AGSC) and lost its graded status in 2011. Lone Star Park officials moved the race from dirt to turf for the first time after the AGSC decision and moved it to Lone Star Park's special Memorial Day program dubbed Lone Star Million Day.
For the three years from 2001 through 2003, it was raced at miles.
Records Speed record: 1:40.88 - Anet (1997)
Largest margin of victory: lengths - Wanna Runner (2006)
Most wins by a jockey (tie): 2 - Jon Court (2001, 2005) 2 - Victor Espinoza (2006, 2009)
Most wins by a trainer: 4 - Bob Baffert (1997, 2006, 2009, 2010)
Most wins by an owner: As of 2007, no owner has won this race more than once.
Purses As of 2010, the purse was lowered to $200,000. It was set at $400,000 for 2008 & 2009.
Winners of the Lone Star Derby Year Winner Jockey Trainer Owner Time2011ThirtyfirststreetChris LanderosDoug O'NeillGorman/Haymes/Bogart1:42.552010Game On DudeMartin GarciaBob BaffertLanni Family Trust/Mercedes Stable1:44.612009Mythical PowerVictor EspinozaBob BaffertPeachtree Stable1:42.792008El Gato MaloRafael BejaranoCraig DollaseWest Point Thoroughbreds1:43.042007Slew's TizzyRobby AlbaradoGregory FoxLaCombe Stable 1:45.492006Wanna RunnerVictor EspinozaBob BaffertMichael E. Pegram1:43.712005Southern AfricaJon CourtMichael PuhichAl & Saundra Kirkwood1:41.922004Pollard's VisionJohn VelazquezTodd A. PletcherEdgewood Farm1:42.102003DyneverEdgar PradoChristophe ClementC. Willis / P. Karches1:50.432002Wiseman's FerryJorge ChavezNiall O'CallaghanMorton Fink et al.1:49.922001Percy HopeJon CourtAnthony ReinstedlerWaterfalls Stable1:50.272000Tahkodha HillsEibar CoaRalph ZiadieCentuar Farms Inc.1:44.051999TB Track StarEddie Martin, Jr.Chris CandiesKevin Candies et al.1:42.921998Smolderin HeartTim DoocyTerry Brennan Jeff Rand1:46.291997AnetDavid FloresBob BaffertDonald Dizney1:40.88
Notes
References May 13, 2006 NTRA article on the Lone Star Derby