Grand Prairie, Texas (Sunday, June 28, 2020) - Karl Broberg is great at the claiming game, but Hunka Burning Love must be a favorite he picked up for $32,000 at Oaklawn Park in April. The six-year-old gelding by Into Mischief has won every race since the claim - four to be exact - including today's $75,000 Lone Star Mile. Coming to the wire, it was Sleepy Eyes Todd in front, but Hunka Burning Love, with David Cabrera pushing him, got up just in time to win by a head.

The two finished 7 1/2 lengths better than Vangilder, and another half-length better than favorite Pioneer Spirit.

Last year's Steve Sexton Mile (Gr. III) winner Mocito Rojo was fourth. Wind of Change, Runaway Ghost and Kenai Bob were the final three. Leader of Men was a late scratch.

Hunka Burning Love ran the mile in 1:36.32. The track was listed fast. Fractions were :23.63, :46.73 and 1:10.90.

At odds of nearly 7-1, the winner returned $15.40. This was his 40th career start and 12th win. His bankroll is now at $351,407.

"The race was loaded with so much speed I really didn't think this was the right spot for us, but he's doing so great we decided to take a shot because you don't get those very often," said Karl Broberg.

Little Menace Takes the Inaugural Grand Prairie Derby

Phoenix Thoroughbred III LTD's Little Menace raced on the lead with Sir Rick pressing him the entire way, actually getting even with the leader coming out of the final turn, but Little Menace was not having it and pulled away deep-stretch to win the first running of the $75,000 Grand Prairie Derby by 3 1/4 lengths on a fast track. Final time was 1:44.79. Fractions were :24.76, :49.19 and 1:13.50.

Little Menace was the betting favorite and returned $3.40. Sir Rick held on for place, with Gold Pilot holding on to get third. Top Draw was fourth, with Empire of Gold, Ancient Land, Icecap and Dr. Forman completing the order.

Little Menace, a son of Into Mischief, is trained by Steve Asmussen and was ridden to victory by Stewart Elliott.

"He broke decent enough and put himself right up there on his own," said Elliott. "I was actually able to sit on him and let him get comfortable, and I had plenty to finish up with."

This was the first stakes win for Little Menace. He was stakes placed going into today, having finished second in the Gazebo at Oaklawn in March.

The winner's share of $43,499 increases his earnings to $191,511. His record is now three wins and two seconds from six starts.

Fool's Paradise Overtakes Front Running Quebec Just Before Wire in Lone Star Park Turf Stakes

M and M Racings Fool's Paradise closed impressively to overcome leader Quebec in the final furlong of the $75,000 Lone Star Park Turf Stakes. The five-year-old daughter of Pioneerof the Nile settled off the pace, where she raced comfortably until the final sixteenth, where she caught another gear to best the leader just in time. Final time for the one mile over a firm turf course was 1:34.15.

Fool's Paradise was three-quarters of a length best and paid $8.40. Quebec was second, and it was 4 3/4 lengths to favorite Curlin's Journey. In fourth was Cowgirls Like Us, followed by Classy Act, Blue Moonrise and Terra's Angel.

Winning trainer was Robertino Diodoro, and top rider Ramon Vazquez was aboard for the win. Vazquez is currently tied for the lead in the rider standings here at Lone Star Park.

"She made it exciting," said owner Mike Sisk of M and M Racing. "Robertino did a great job. In that prep race, she looked fantastic, so we thought she'd have a shot here."

Today's earnings boost Fool's Paradise's bankroll to $207,915.This was her fifth career win from 21 starts.