Coolmore Lexington Stakes at Keeneland Race Course

Dave Bond | OTB Writer

Las Vegas, NV - The Grade 3 Coolmore Lexington Stakes is on tap for this Saturday, April 20 from Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky. A "Road to the Kentucky Derby" Wild Card race, the Lexington Stakes has attracted a group of three year olds taking one last crack at qualifying for the Kentucky Derby in three weeks time. A purse of $200,000 is on the line as is 20 valuable qualifying points toward a start in the Run for the Roses as the entries go 1 1/16 miles on Keeneland's main dirt track.

The Lexington Stakes has attracted a field of 11 for race 9 on Keeneland's Saturday schedule. Post time is 5:13. Let's take a look at the credentials of all 11 entries for this Grade 3, last chance stakes for those hoping to qualify for the Kentucky Derby.

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2013 Coolmore Lexington Stakes Race Favorites

Pure Fun - Kenneth McPeek trained filly is coming off an OK third in the Grade 3 Fathead Bourbonette March 23 after a terrific win in the Grade 1 Hollywood Starlet Stakes at Hollywood Park December 8 and an Allowance Optional Claiming score at Churchill Downs in November by 9 1/4 lengths. In her other six career starts she managed a win, a second and a third place finish. She has been impressive the last six months and should give the boys a good run for their money on Saturday as she tries to gather points for the Kentucky Oaks, not the Derby - she needs a win to qualify.

Cerro - Irish bred son of Mr. Greeley and H. Graham Motion trainee Cerro has six career starts with two wins - in his debut at Milan and last time out in an Allowance Optional Claiming here January 26 after a third and a fourth respectively in similar races. His North American debut was a sixth in the Grade 3 Pilgrim Stakes at Belmont Park in June. He is coming off a sixth in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes February 23 after an Allowance Optional Claiming score January 26 at Gulfstream. He needs a win here for a possible spot in the Preakness Stakes May 18 - the Kentucky Derby is already out of reach.

Coolmore Lexington Stakes 2013 | Remaining Field Entries

Sunbean - Albert Stall trained colt has five career starts - all at Fair Grounds. He started with a second in a MSW but has won the next three in a row including the minor Gentilly Staked February 23 and the Louisiana Futurity back on December 31. Last time out was a disappointing eighth in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby March 30. He hopes to get back to his winning ways Saturday after an ugly outing last time out - he has Hall of Famer Gary Stevens to guide him Saturday.

Pick Of The Litter - Dale Romans colt broke maiden February 27 by 7 1/2 lengths at Gulfstream in his second career start after a ninth in a MSW race in his debut February 2. He raced to a sixth last time out in his stakes debut - the Grade 1 Florida Derby at Gulfstream March 30.

General Election - won the minor John Battaglia Memorial Stakes at Turfway Park March 2 in his stakes debut after a sixth and a second respectively in Allowance Optional Claiming races at Fair Grounds. Last time out was a huge step up in competition - it resulted in a tenth in the Grade 3 Spiral Stakes March 23.

Hip Four Sixtynine - raced seven MSW to start his career and finally broke maiden February 23 at Fair Grounds after six previous starts produced only a pair of money results - second place finishes in his first two career starts. Last time out was his stakes debut which resulted in an eleventh in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby march 30 at Fair Grounds.

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Where's Dominic - has five career starts all at Laurel Park with two wins, a second and a third place finish but is coming off his only off-the-board finish - a fourth in the minor Private Terms Stakes March 9. Before that was a second in the Miracle Wood Stakes and an Allowance Optional Claiming score January 16.

Winning Cause - Todd Pletcher trained colt races in graded stakes company for the first time Saturday, He is coming off an Allowance score April 6 at Keeneland after a fifth in the minor Java Gold Stakes at Aqueduct February 10 and a good second in the Jimmy Winkfield Stakes January 21. He has two wins and a second place finish in six career starts.

Examen - Thomas Proctor makes his fourth career start Saturday after a fourth in a MSW in his debut and two straight wins - a MSW at Santa Anita February 9 and an Allowance Optional Claiming last time out March 7.

River Rocks - Wayne Catalano trained colt races in stakes company for the first time Saturday after two wins and a second in four career start. Last time out was a second in an Allowance Optional Claiming at Gulfstream March 17 after an Allowance score February 21 and a MSW win at Calder in October.

Wings of Fortune - broke maiden two back in his second career start for trainer Michael Maker and followed that with an OK second last time out in an Allowance Optional Claiming at Fair Grounds March 30.


2013 Coolmore Lexington Stakes Entries & Odds

Race 9 on Keeneland Race Course's Saturday card with a Post Time of 5:13 PM.

Entry Horse Jockey Trainer ML Odds
1 Winning Cause J. Leparoux T. Pletcher
5-1
2 Pick of the Litter J. Castanon D. Romans
6-1
3 River Rocks J. Graham W. Catalano
12-1
4 Hip Four Sixtynine G. Saez B. Barnett
50-1
5 Where's Dominic E. Prado M. Trombetta
20-1
6 Sunbean G. Stevens M. Maker
4-1
7 Examen G. Gomez T. Proctor
5-1
8 Cerro (IRE) J. Rosario H. Motion
5-1
9 Wings of Fortune C. Borel M. Maker
15-1
10 General Election J. Rocco, Jr. K. Gorder
15-1
11 Pure Fun R. Napravnik K. McPeek
7-2