4/21/06
Last updated: 4/20/06 7:59 PM
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Like Now (orange hat) earned his first stakes win in the Fred “Cappy” Capossela
(Uli Seit/Horsephotos.com) |
Saturday’s $325,000 Lexington S. (G2) is one of the the final opportunities for
three-year-olds to garner enough graded earnings to make the Kentucky Derby (G1)
field, and LIKE NOW (Jules) and SHOWING UP (Strategic
Mission) highlight a group of 10 in the 1 1/16-mile event. Like Now, who
currently sits 20th on the graded earnings list, defeated the likes of Sweetnorthernsaint (Sweetsouthernsaint) and Keyed Entry (Honour and Glory) when
capturing the 8 1/2-furlong Gotham S. (G3) by a neck last out in wire-to-wire
fashion, his first start at a route. The Kiaran McLaughlin trainee can be
counted on to show speed again in the Lexington. Showing Up is unbeaten from two
career outings, easily winning a maiden special weight and allowance at
Gulfstream this year, and he needs to finish first in his stakes bow to run in
the main event at Churchill Downs on May 6. Barclay Tagg trains the promising
colt for Lael Stables, who already has the unbeaten Barbaro (Dynaformer) heading
to the Kentucky Derby.
Other contenders include GREELEY’S LEGACY (Mr. Greeley), who finished a close
fourth in the Gotham; stakes winner MORE THAN REGAL (More Than Ready); the Nick
Zito-trained HEMINGWAY’S KEY (Notebook), who has squared off against graded
rivals in all three starts this year; Canadian stakes victor BEAR CHARACTER
(Dixie Union), who exits a third in the Rushaway S. at Turfway; and FAST PARADE
(Delineator), who stretches out in distance off a victory in the 6 1/2-furlong
Baldwin S. at Santa Anita.
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In post position order, the complete field, from the rail with pilots, is
GONE PROSPECTING (Way West [Fr]), John Velazquez; Showing Up, Cornelio
Velasquez; More Than Regal, Shaun Bridgmohan; Hemingway’s Key, Rafael Bejarano;
Bear Character, Rene Douglas; SPECIAL INTEREST (Stravinsky), Mark Guidry; CHIN
HIGH (Smart Strike), Robby Albarado; Like Now, Fernando Jara; Fast Parade, Mick
Ruis; and Greeley’s Legacy, Javier Castellano.
Like Now and Chin High will both carry 123 pounds, the rest 117.
The Lexington undercard contains the $100,000 Giant’s Causeway S., which will
be held at 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf for fillies and mares and drew an overflow
of 14 entries. Only 12 will be allowed to start, and South African champion
TARA’S TOUCH (SAf) (Tara’s Halls), who captured the event last year when it was
called the Stravinsky S., is back. Among the top challengers to the Christopher
Speckert runner are BRIGHT GOLD (Hold for Gold), CHAMPAGNE ENDING (Precise End),
UNBRIDLED SIDNEY (Unbridled’s Song) and TROPICAL SNOW (SAf) (Elliodor).
