Lexington Stakes at Keeneland

Las Vegas, NV -- The Grade 3 Lexington Stakes in on tap for this Saturday, April 21st from Keeneland. Three year olds will race 1 1/16 miles on Keeneland's synthetic track in chase of a share of the $200,000 purse.

The Lexington comes at a crucial time. Many of the 11 entries are after some much needed graded stakes earnings that could propel them over the top of the $270,000 earnings required to qualify for the Kentucky Derby. The Lexington goes as the ninth race on Keeneland's Saturday card with a post time of 5:13 PM.

Let's take a look at the entries and the performances that brought them to this Grade 3 event.

Lexington Stakes Race Favorites

Castaway - has a lot to gain by a win at the Lexington - a spot in the Kentucky Derby could be a reality with the $120,000 first prize. Bob Baffert trained Castaway needs a victory after a disappointing seventh last time out in the Grade 3 Sunland Derby. Before that he recorded an impressive 3 1/2 length win at the Grade 3 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn on February 20th and had a win at a Maiden Special Weight race at Santa Anita on January 21st. Castaway has eight career starts with two wins, a second and two third place finishes.

Lexington Stakes betting at Keeneland with OffTrackBetting.com

Morgan's Guerrilla - may not quite qualify even with a win but would certainly put his name in the mix. Morgan's Guerrilla has raced three times in 2012 with one win at a Maiden Special Weight race at Aqueduct on March 3rd and two seconds - the Grade 2 Illinois Derby on April 7th and a Maiden Special Weight race at Gulfstream on February 11th.

Remaining Field Entries

Holiday Promise - Todd Pletcher trained colt has three seconds and a fourth in his last four starts, the last being a runner up finish in the Grade 3 Spiral Stakes at Turfway on March 24th. Holiday Promise is a long shot to qualify for the Kentucky Derby but is still fast.

News Pending - is another horse that will need some help in order to qualify for the Run for the Roses. New Pending most recently finished a disappointing seventh in the Grade 1 Florida Derby at Gulfstream on March 31st but did finish an impressive second to Union Rages before that in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream on February 26th.

Golden Ticket - has a win and three seconds in his last four starts with the most impressive result coming last time out - a second in the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby on March 10th.

Summer Front - has three career starts and three wins - the Dania Beach Stakes at Gulfstream on December 18th, the King Cugat Stakes at Aqueduct on November 6th and a Maiden Special Weight race in September.

Skyring - most recently finished seventh in the Grade 3 Illinois Derby but before that won a Maiden Special Weight race at Oaklawn on March 17th. Skyring has one win and a second place finish in five career starts.

Hammers Terror - has placed in four of five career starts - two wins, a second and a third place finish. He finished third last time out in the Black Gold Stakes at Fair Grounds and before that was a disappointing sixth in the Grade 3 Lecomte Stakes at Fair Grounds on January 21st.

All Squared Away - most recently finished sixth in the Grade 3 Spiral Stakes and also has an unflattering seventh in the Grade 3 El Camino Derby this year.

Gold Megillah - finished second in the Rushaway Stakes at Turfway on March 24th but only has one win, two seconds and two third place finished in eight career starts.

Johannesbourbon - has one career start, one win - a Maiden Special Weight score at Turfway on March 25th.

Lexington Stakes Entries

Race 9 on Keeneland's Saturday card with a Post Time of 5:13 PM.