On Saturday April 14, the Lexington Stakes will run with a field of 12, as three horses look to add needed to points to reach the Kentucky Derby in the final Derby qualifying event. The field will contest the stakes over a 1 1/16 mile circuit.
My Boy Jack (2 to 1 favorite) is the headliner of this field coming off a win at the Southwest Stakes during February and a third last month at the Louisiana Derby. A win by My Boy Jack ensures the colt of a spot in the Kentucky Derby next month. Kent Desormeaux will be aboard the colt when he leaves from post No. 12.
My Boy Jack remained the favorite even after drawing the outside post but that should not be a bother to him as he will likely settle in at the back of the pack and will be hard to hold off with his late closing speed down the stretch.
Two other horses Pony Up (6 to 1) and Greyvitos (4 to 1) hope to qualify for the Kentucky Derby with strong showings on Saturday. Greyvitos, an Adam Kitchingham-trained horse won the Bob Hope Stakes in November and the Springboard Mile last December.
However, bone chips in his knee slowed his progress and Saturday’s start is his first for 2018. A win does not guarantee placement in the Derby for Greyvitos, who will leave from post No. 6 with Joel Rosario aboard. Todd Pletcher-trained Pony Up was second at the Jeff Ruby Steaks in his most recent start. He too could come up short in points for the Derby even with a win on Saturday. Pony Up leaves from post No. 7 with John Velasquez aboard.
The remaining horses in the race include Battle at Sea at 15 to 1, Telekinesis at 6 to 1, Seven Trumpets at 10-1, Honor Up at 12 to 1, Magicalmeister at 20 to 1, Gracida at 30 to 1, Navy Armed Guard at 25 to 1, Zanesville at 15 to 1 and Arched Feather at 30 to 1.
Outside the three top favorites of My Boy Jack, Greyvitos and Pony Up is a Telekinesis the No. 2 that does not have the experience but the colt, trained by Mark Casse, has finished strong in his two career races winning his debut and finishing third in his second race. Javier Castellano will be aboard Telekinesis.
Only question is Greyvitos ready to go after injuries derailed the Malibu Moon colt. Trainer Adam Kitchingman has said that training could not have gone better leading up to Lexington and think at 6-1 their is ton of value on Greyvitos.
$500 Win-Place #6 Greyvitos #10 Exacta Box - #6 Greyvitos, #2 Telekinesis, & #7 Pony Up $1 Trifecta Wheel - #6 Greyvitos with #2 Telekinesis, #7 Pony Up with ALL
