Stay Hot, one of two GSW out of Etsu (Smart Strike), took his consistent form on the road and landed Saturday's $250,000 Texas Turf Classic Stakes at Lone Star Park.

Mike Smith sent the Summer Front ridgling from post one, contesting the pace alongside Komorebino Omoide (Jpn), who took a short lead into the last of nine furlongs. Stay Hot proved resolute beneath Smith, coming back along the inside late for a 1/2 length decision.

The Turf Classic was the Peter Eurton trainee's fifth career stakes triumph and first outside California. The 1/2 brother to Gr2 winner Prerequisite (Upstart) was also a Gr2 runner-up three times last season.

The late Brereton Jones' Airdrie Stud, breeder of both Prerequisite and Stay Hot, race the latter in partnership with Exline-Border Racing. Airdrie acquired Etsu for $35,000 at 2018 Keeneland November.

Bred by the late Michael Baum's Man o'War Farm, Etsu is out of Forever Beautiful (Giant's Causeway), 1/2 sister to champion Farda Amiga (Broad Brush) and descendant of matriarch Northern Sunset (Northfields).