Lexington Stakes Grade 3

1 1/16 on Dirt

Purse $400.000 For Three Year Olds

Keenland Park Lexington, Kentucky

The first question to be answered is probably if Strike from DJC Racing Stables can win outside of New York. The three-year-old gelding has two wins at Aqueduct in state bred racing. With only six lifetime starts, it might not be the fairest question, but it is a question that needs to be answered on Saturday as he heads the field for the Lexington Stakes. His best speed figure was at this distance, so I give him the slight edge to grab the prize. Gravenberch from Royalty Stables ran a monster race in his last start when running third in The Ruby Stakes, his subsequent start after breaking his maiden. The number earned was big and the lightly raced colt should give a good account of himself in here. Painted Ice from Alydar Stables drew the rail and will probably take back off the pace and make one big move late. His biggest number earned was also at this distance and that number also fits big in here. Puppet Master from Riggins Racing returns after getting some rest since a poor run on December 20th. The gelding has a good work over the track and is just outside the numbers here. Clearly a better dirt horse, I look for him to rebound in this heat.

Of The Rest:

Sinissipi Swinger from TwinTowersRacing won the Lewis Stakes in Arcadia on a speed favoring oval in February and then came back a month later to run last in The San Felipe Stakes. Obviously a guessing game here, but the fact is that his Lewis number fits big. Check the tote for more clues.

Daring Ned from The Sidley Stud might be picked too low here. The colt’s best race was at this trip, and he has been freshened slightly since the mediocre run in The Sunland Derby where he ran off the board as the public choice. If he can work out a trip his very best puts him close enough to consider.

Peranakan from Robeth has never tasted defeat, something that in all likelihood will change this weekend. The colt drew the far outside and that’s a potential killer in this lineup of question marks. He has gas, had a nice blowout over the track, but his numbers don’t yet stack up to the top picks, and he would need improvement and much racing luck to get the prize.

Punjabi from Winning Link Stable broke his maiden in his last start at Santa Anita in a state bred first level allowance race. He now goes to open company at Keenland in a graded stakes. Not impossible but certainly asking a bit much for most handicappers to consider.

Private Money, also from Winning Link Stable, has only a maiden win on his resume and just ran second at this trip in a first level allowance race in Houston. He should be giant odds if you believe in this miracle.

Crucifixion from Paradise Stable has been the heavy public choice in his last two starts and was unable to seal either deal. Being the public choice is something that will change this weekend. He is still looking for his maiden win and should be a giant price when the gates open.

-Trackman

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES