Meet the Contenders: 2024 Lexington Stakes
Hades wins at Gulfstream (Photo by Coglianese Photogrraphy / Credit to Ryan Thompson)
April 11th, 2024
Meet the horses running in the 2024 Lexington S. at Keeneland. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential. The star rating of 1 to 5 represents opportunity to perform well. Be sure to follow these contenders by adding them to your stable alerts.
Secret Chat (Photo by Coglianese Photography)
#1 Secret Chat **
Pro: Stakes-placed last season and comeback going short a race he likely needed.
Con: Class concerns remain after recent allowance loss versus Florida-breds.
The Wine Steward is one of the top progeny by Vino Rosso in 2023. (Photo by Coady Photography)
#2 The Wine Steward *****
Pro: Dual stakes winner and narrowly missed when last seen in Breeders’ Futurity (G1).
Con: Unraced since that Futurity run in October and might prove a tad rusty.
A battle to the end and #6 The Wine Steward stays undefeated in the Funny Cide S. at Saratoga! 🍷
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) August 27, 2023
Mike Maker trains the 2-year-old colt by @spendthriftfarm stallion Vino Rosso. Manny Franco was up.
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/rcEZ9vJyHf
Dilger (Photo by Coglianese Photography)
#3 Dilger **
Pro: Earned overdue maiden win at Gulfstream in decent time last out.
Con: Other runs outside graduation have been modest; lands in tough spot.
Footprint wins at Keeneland (Photo by Keeneland Photography)
#4 Footprint **
Pro: Has fought hard his last few despite less-than-ideal trips.
Con: Appears to need a notable step forward to contend at this level.
Hades winning the Holy Bull (G3) at Gulfstream Park (Photo by Coglianese Photos/Lauren King)
#5 Hades *****
Pro: Toppled Fierceness in Holy Bull (G3) and addition of blinkers should help here.
Con: Far from a standout here and price likely to be unattractive.
Hades upsets in the Holy Bull (GIII): 1/5 favorite Fierceness finishes third.#KYDerby150 🌹 https://t.co/WxIT0JA8dp
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) February 4, 2024
How's Ur Attitude wins at Turfway Park (Photo by Coady Photography)
#6 How’s Ur Attitude *
Pro: Appreciated step up to two turns when beating maiden foes at Turfway.
Con: Lacks experience on dirt and tough spot in which to face winners for the first time.
#7 How's Ur Attitude and @a_beschizza take R5 @turfwaypark for trainer @johnennis35! 💪@joesantos_33
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) February 24, 2024
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/VrkOyhNwNl
Everdoit (Photo by SV Photography)
#7 Everdoit *
Pro: Form has improved in his last couple, albeit against much softer.
Con: Pretty much exposed from a class perspective at Tampa over the winter.
Encino winning the John Battaglia Memorial S. at Turfway Park (Photo by Coady Photography)
#8 Encino ****
Pro: Enters with nearly flawless record plus success in John Battaglia Memorial.
Con: Hasn’t yet run on dirt, though hails from family of classic winners.
Encino gained 20 points on the Road to @KentuckyDerby 150 on Saturday night @TurfwayPark with a win in the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes!
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) March 4, 2024
Click the link below to add the @bradcoxracing trainee to your TwinSpires Stable Alerts!#NeverMissAWinner ⤵️ https://t.co/TQDDOx9jXK pic.twitter.com/Ph6SFyAm4i
Liberal Arts winning the Street Sense (G3) at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Photography)
#9 Liberal Arts ***
Pro: G3 winner failed to settle in Arkansas Derby (G1) but class drop should help.
Con: Best races thus far have come over off tracks, and dry conditions more than likely here.
#8 Liberal Arts and @cristaintorr64 take the G3 Street Sense S. at Churchill Downs for trainer Robert Medina, earning 10 points towards the 150th Kentucky Derby! 🏆
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) October 29, 2023
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/b8KXFCO0E5
Lucky Jeremy (Photo by Coady Photography)
#10 Lucky Jeremy ***
Pro: Back on preferred surface and shortens up after setting the pace in Jeff Ruby (G3).
Con: Post not ideal, especially if other speed makes him work early.
#5 Lucky Jeremy was lucky today and goes gate-to-wire in the opener at Churchill Downs under Gerardo Corrales for trainer William Morey! 🤩@scottshap34 is off to a good start with his #ExpertPicks!
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) October 29, 2023
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/B1ucatryp8
