Keeneland‘s GIII Stonestreet Lexington Stakes concludes the Kentucky Derby qualifying trail Saturday, offering points on a 20-10-6-4-2 scale to the top five finishers — though not enough to impact the Derby field.
The nine-horse field, expected to shrink with anticipated scratches, features ‘TDN Rising Star’ Bullard (Gun Runner) and Praetor (Into Mischief) as likely favorites in the 1 1/16-mile contest.
Bullard, a $675,000 Keeneland September graduate, makes his first start beyond seven furlongs after being scratched from the GII Rebel Stakes due to fever. The impressive last-to-first GIII Bob Hope Stakes winner and GII San Vicente Stakes third-place finisher is campaigned by Talla Racing, St. Elias Stables, breeder Three Chimneys Farm and West Point Thoroughbreds.
Michael McCarthy, who also trains imposing Kentucky Derby favorite and GI Santa Anita Derby winner Journalism (Curlin), conditions Bullard.
“It’s the first time around two turns, but it’s a good spot,” West Point’s Terry Finley said. “We didn’t get sucked into one of the big preps. There was a thought to go to the Santa Anita Derby, but we took the route of least resistance here and we hope it sets him up for a very good year.”
Finley added, “I like where it falls on the calendar and certainly sets horses up, if they were to run well, to come back in three weeks and run in the (GII) Pat Day Mile or the (GI) Preakness or any of those other spots.”
Chad Brown-trained Praetor, a $725,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase, earned a 90 Beyer Speed Figure when graduating at second asking, narrowly defeating Kentucky Derby-bound Sovereignty (Into Mischief) in a one-turn mile at Aqueduct last September. The William H. Lawrence, CHP Racing and Gainesway Stable-owned colt impressed in his return, dominating a one-turn mile optional claimer at Gulfstream on March 9. The Lexington marks his two-turn debut.
Gosger (Nyquist), a half-brother to GISW Harvey’s Lil Goil (American Pharoah), also attempts two turns for the first time. Trained by Brendan Walsh, he graduated impressively going a mile at second asking at Gulfstream on February 15.
Touchy (Nyquist) and Rolando (Vekoma) enter after finishing third and fourth, respectively, in Keeneland’s Lafayette Stakes earlier this week.
Saturday’s Keeneland program also features a stellar renewal of the GI Jenny Wiley Stakes. The nine-horse field is led by 5-2 morning-line favorite Excellent Truth (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}), purchased for €1,600,000 by Stamford Bloodstock/Meridian Bloodstock for John Stewart’s Resolute Racing at Arqana December. The G3 Prix de Psyche winner and G1 Prix Rothschild runner-up makes her first start for Chad Brown, who has won six of the last seven Jenny Wiley renewals.
Her competition includes G2 Balanchine Stakes winner Choisya (GB) (Night of Thunder {Ire}), GII TAA Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf Invitational one-two finishers Be Your Best (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}) and Sacred Wish (Not This Time), and streaking GII Mrs. Revere Stakes winner Kehoe Beach (Omaha Beach).
All Eyes on Thorpedo Anna in Apple Blossom
Horse of the Year and ‘TDN Rising Star’ Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) headlines Saturday’s GI Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park as the 2-5 program favorite. Last year’s GI Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner began her 4-year-old campaign with a commanding 3 1/2-length victory in the track-and-trip GII Azeri Stakes on March 8.
“We’re 2-5 favorites, so it’s her race for the taking,” trainer Ken McPeek said. “But we’re not going to take anything for granted.”
The champion faces six rivals, with Where’s My Ring (Twirling Candy) posing the most significant threat after posting a 103 Beyer Speed Figure in a dominant local optional claimer on March 15.
Oaklawn’s 12-race card also includes the GIII Count Fleet Sprint Handicap where ‘TDN Rising Star’ Booth (Mitole) stands as the clear favorite. The Steve Asmussen trainee enters off consecutive wire-to-wire victories in Hot Springs, most recently in the GIII Whitmore Stakes on March 15. Booth’s sire Mitole captured the Count Fleet for the Hall of Fame trainer six years ago.
“He’s just matured into his own,” Asmussen said. “It’s great to see Mitole reproduce something so similar to him.”
