Lexington Stakes 2024 Odds, Analysis, Free PPs
Photo: Holly Riley on Unsplash
The Lexington Stakes has long been the last stop on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and a chance for horses on the bubble and in need of qualification points to earn their way into the Derby starting gate.
The long history of the Lexington dates back to closing day of Keeneland’s inaugural meeting in the fall of 1936 when it was first run as a 6 furlong race for two-year-olds. Over the years the distance of the race evolved from a flatout sprint at 6 furlongs to the longer distances of 1 1/8 miles and, for a couple of years, the race was run at the Derby distance of 1 1/4 miles.
Today, the Lexington Stakes is contested at the 1 1/16 miles distance as a G3 race with wildcard implications for horses whose connections have visions of grandeur to compete in the world’s most recognized horse race with three-year-old hopefuls who have shown promise a bit too late to make the final draw into the field of 20 for the Kentucky Derby. But could use the Lexington as a stepping stone to the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes.
Lexington Stakes 2024 G3 Field
- Secret Chat (15-1): Longshot horse gets the rail (18% winners at the meet) and a new rider (Rosario) for his first graded stakes race. Won his maiden opener at Gulfstream going 6 1/2 and was second in two other starts. Could improve from the 1 post and be contentious. Wonder what blinkers would do for him?
- The Wine Steward (5-2): New York bred won his first three starts. Will make his first start since a second place finish behind Locked (3rd in the ’23 BC Juvenile, injury knocked him off the trail) in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) last October.
- Dilger (IRE) (12-1): Irish bred turned in a speedy performance in last out maiden score. But would be a surprise to take this one.
- Footprint (10-1): Love that he is the only horse with a win over the track. But he is 0 for 6 since his career opener. 2nd by a neck LTO in the $250K Rushaway at Turfway. Hernandez and McPeek are 20%. Don’t dismiss.
- Hades (7-2): Would be undefeated if not for his last out Florida Derby effort when 5th behind current Kentucky Derby favorite Fierceness. Currently listed as number 24 on the leaderboard with 30 points and can be no worse than 2nd in here to still have a chance to get into the Derby. Adds blinkers for connections who are going all out to get him on the lead and home first.
- How’s Ur Attitude (30-1): Got his first victory LTO on the Turfway all-weather in his 3rd lifetime start. Can’t see him having any impact in the race.
- Everdoit (30-1): Lost his rider in the G3 Sam Davis. And was dusted in the G3 Tampa Bay Derby. Another who’s connections refuse to accept reality.
- Encino (5-1): Makes first dirt start of his career following back to back victories over the Turfway all-weather. Won the Battaglia in his last start. Sire, Nyquist, won the Kentucky Derby. Gets new rider (Geroux) and could upset.
- Liberal Arts (4-1): Gets a new rider (Ortiz, Jr) and will be making his fifth graded stakes try. Won the G3 Street Sense at Churchill. Son of Arrogate will have a chance to redeem himself after his two most recent graded races at Oaklawn (G3 Southwest, G1 Arkansas Derby) leave us with more questions than answers. Interesting underlay.
- Lucky Jeremy (8-1): Third behind Stronghold two back in the G3 Sunland Derby. Cuts back from a nice effort LTO in the Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway. Trainer is 0 for 16 in graded stakes races.