Knicks Go to Return in Steve Sexton Mile at Lone Star

Korea Racing Authority's Knicks Go , unraced since fourth in the Feb. 20 Saudi Cup at King Abdulaziz Racetrack, is slated to return May 31 in the $400,000 Steve Sexton Mile Stakes (G3) at Lone Star Park, according to trainer Brad Cox.

Speaking during a National Thoroughbred Racing Association conference call, Cox indicated the 5-year-old Paynter   horse has been training sharply at Churchill Downs over the past month after his winter trip overseas. That loss followed four consecutive stateside victories, which included top-level triumphs in the Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) at Keeneland and Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) at Gulfstream Park.

The Steve Sexton Mile is a two-turn race, "which we kind of like with him," Cox said. "We feel he's better around two turns. It's a graded stakes, and I feel like it's a great opportunity, or a great race to get him started back post-Middle East. Once again, you're hopeful that they come back and perform after the long trip on the other side of the world."

The Saudi Cup was a 1 1/8-mile race around one turn, and Knicks Go weakened after chasing pacesetter and eventual runner-up Charlatan . Racing less than a month after winning the Pegasus World Cup, Knicks Go finished 8 1/2 lengths behind victorious Mishriff .

In his most recent drill, Knicks Go breezed five furlongs in 1:02 at Churchill Downs April 30.