The Coolmore Lexington – GIII [KYD]
4/13/19
KEE Race 2 1 1/16M – Dirt
Purse $200.000
Three Year Olds

A full field of twelve runners even with an early scratch already for one of the last Derby points races this year. Some of these are just in here to try and nab a win but there is a few that are trying to win and sneak into the Derby field. Let’s go ahead and take a look at the field.

1. Fleet Commander (7-1-2-1 $49.780), trained by Nakamura Stables

The first of two runners from Nakamura Stables that are in the main body of the field has only a maiden win to his name. In his last start he ran a bad twelfth in the grade two San Felipe. I think he is better on the turf than he is on the dirt and I don’t think he stands much of a chance in here.

2. Akkadian (8-3-2-2 $173.930), trained by Nakamura Stables

Now here is one of those that is trying to sneak into the Derby field if he wins this race. He has points already from a second place finish in his last start which was the grade two Fountain of Youth. If he wins here there is a possibility that he gets enough points to sneak into the Derby.

3. Moment In History (4-1-1-1 $52.440), trained by Estero Farms

A recent maiden winner right here at Santa Anita in his last start but that was going five and a half furlongs. This is a big step up in class and I don’t know if he is ready for that yet and I also don’t know if he will like the route either. He is a pretty big question mark in here.

4. Pure Authority (5-1-1-2 $128.280), trained by Joshua Stables

Another one that also has a couple of Derby points right here with a third in the Risen Star and a fourth in the Rebel. He looks like a pretty talented horse and this is a softer field than his last two so I think he will have a good shot in here. He is one of the top choices in this field for me.

5. Ete Crack (9-2-2-1 $78.160), trained by Gdp Inc

Another one that is coming out of some other prep races right and those last two have not been that great. He ran ninth in the grade three Southwest two back and he was seventh in the grade three Ruby Stakes last out. He does get some class relief in here and he should have a chance.

6. King Niagra (8-2-1-3 $257.600), trained by John Henry

Once again we come across a horse that has been running in Derby preps already. Now this horse does have points thanks to third place finishes in the LA Futurity, the Lewis Stakes and the San Felipe. He ran bad in the Florida Derby last out but he will be pretty tough in here I think.

7. Patriot Warrior (10-1-1-2 $21.810), trained by Paradise Stable

One of the least earning runners in the race right here and this horse is entering this race off of a sixth place finish in the Rushaway Stakes at Turfway. This is a step up in class and he has not been able to prove himself stakes quality yet so I don’t see him winning in this race.

8. Skyscraper (4-2-1-0 $39.220), trained by John Henry

Second of three entries form John Henry right here and this may be his best one of them all. This horse was fifth in the TAM Derby last out after leading most of the way. If he duplicates that performance I can see him running a huge race and he might just be the winner. He needs to run like his last out though.

9. Entrepreneur (5-2-2-1 $80.200), trained by Mb Stables

Surprisingly the only runner from Mb Stables right here but he is a nice runner to have in this spot. He is coming into this race off of a second place finish in the Rushaway Stakes at Turfway Park. This is a step up in class for sure but I think he might be able to make the jump and win.

10. Mr Tom (3-1-0-1 $15.000), trained by D J C Racing Stables

And of course we have a runner from the wizard D J C Racing Stables. This runner is coming into this race off of a win against sixteen dollar New York bred maiden claimers. He ran good that day and won by four lengths but this is a huge jump in class and I just do not see him winning.

11. Healthy Status (6-2-0-0 $55.300), trained by First Class Stable

Scratched

12. Smugglers Blues (8-1-2-1 $60.480), trained by John Herny

And the final runner from the stable of John Henry is this runner right here who is coming into this race off of a second place finish against allowance company at Santa Anita. He did run fourth in the Smarty Jones earlier this year also. He will need to run a big race but he has a chance to win I think.

13. Storm The Empire (5-1-0-1 $7.060), trained by Calia Stable

And the final runner that is in the main body of the field right here is a horse who has not done a whole lot in his career. He has only won a seven dollar maiden claimer. He does have a pretty good work tab though and if her can run to his works he will have a pretty good chance in here.

14. American Academy (7-1-0-1 $9.100), trained by Nakamura Stables

Also Eligible

Summary

A nice field has been assembled right here for this race and some of them have some pretty good shots. The top runners in here for me are Akkadian, Pure Authority and King Niagra. I am going to take Akkadian out of those three because I think he comes into race in good form.

2-6-4-8

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES