Coolmore Lexington Stakes

Notes:
The 1 st of two wildcard races on the new Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifying system could produce a starter who runs for the roses if one of the six Triple Crown nominees entered chooses to take that route with the 20 points awarded to the winner. None in the field currently have any points, meaning that the 8-4-2 given to those who complete the superfecta will likely be insufficient to secure a spot in the gate on May 4. But even if the winner chooses to skip the 1 st jewel of the Triple Crown, the Lexington could have implications on the final two legs of the series. Filly Pure Fun, who is using this race as a prep for the 5/3 G1 Kentucky Oaks, will have jockey Rosie Napravnik in the irons for the 1 st time after running up a 9-3-1-2 career record that includes a graded stakes win and placing. The pair will have their work cut out for them against nine colts and one gelding, seven of whom are stakes vets. Sunbean is the most intriguing in the field, having won two statebred stakes and three straight races at Fair Grounds before a nightmare trip in the G2 Louisiana Derby. Owner Brittlyn Stable Inc. paid the 6,000 late fee to make Sunbean eligible for the Triple Crown by March 23 and moved the colt from trainer Al Stall, Jr. to Mike Maker after his troubled graded stakes debut. Maker also sends out Wings of Fortune, who exits a 2 nd in a grassy OC 50000n1x at Fair Grounds. Hip Four Sixtynine is the other Louisiana Derby also-ran in this race. Like Sunbean, he was also nominated to the Triple Crown by the late deadline but doesn t have nearly the excuse for an up the track finish last out in New Orleans. Cerro was given a freshening after showing little in the G2 Fountain of Youth S. at Gulfstream Park, and owner Team Valor is reportedly using this as a stepping stone to the G1 Belmont Stakes. Trainer Todd Pletcher has said there are no Kentucky Derby dreams for Winning Cause even if his colt takes the Lexington, and the stakes-placed son of Giant s Causeway may well do that and run his record over this course to a perfect 3-for-3. River Rocks failed as the favorite in a Gulfstream Park optional claiming contest on 3/17, but conditioner Wayne Catalano began considering this spot shortly afterwards. Where s Dominic has only been off-the-board once when running 4 th in the 3/9 Miracle Wood S. at Laurel Park and looks competitive with this bunch if he takes to the Polytrack. General Election stunned in the John Battaglia S. over Turfway Park s synthetic then ran to his long odds in the G3 Spiral S. Gelding Examen steps into stakes company after progressing through conditions on the left coast. Maiden winner Pick of the Litter gets a bit of class relief after being thrown into the deep end in the G1 Florida Derby.
The Lexington Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky. The horses participating have to cover a distance of 8.5 furlongs on the dirt. This Grade III racing event is open to three year old thoroughbred racing horses. It currently offers a purse value of 200,000. It was run as Calumet Purse, an overnight allowance race, from 1973-1983. The Lexington Stakes was renamed in 1984, since 1998 it has been sponsored by Ireland s renowned Coolmore Stud. First run in 1936, it was a six furlong race for two-year-olds during Keeneland s inaugural meeting. Then, it was a one and one fourth mile overnight handicap for 3-year-olds and up from 1938 1941. A listed race in 1984, it achieved Grade III status in 1986 and was a Grade II event from 1988-2010. The race has been downgraded to Grade III status for 2011. It is now considered, along with the Federico Tesio Stakes, to be the final prep for the Kentucky Derby.