Tipsheet: 2025 Lexington Stakes

A well-matched field of seven sophomores will travel 1 1/16 miles over the Keeneland dirt in Saturday’s $400,000 Lexington S. (G3). The 2025 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series contest will reward the top five across the wire with qualifying points on a 20-10-6-4-2 basis. 

Lexington Stakes Picks

• #7 Praetor
• #3 Bullard
• #6 Gosger

Lexington Stakes Wagers

• $20 win and place #7 Praetor
• $1 trifecta 3,7 with 3,6,7 with all

Lexington Stakes Contenders

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#1 HARD AS LIFE: Michelle Nihei trainee gets a nice slot on the fence and could be almost any kind while making his first run on the dirt in this spot. Gun Runner chestnut will need to show marked improvement on the surface change in order to challenge this field, but he’s worth considering at a price under Sophie Doyle. 

#2 BRACKET BUSTER: Vekoma colt graduated on the oval last campaign and will make his first run of the season after checking in fifth in the Street Sense S. (G3) to cap 2024. Vickie Oliver pupil showed a lot of improvement when going long in his last pair of runs as a juvenile, but he might need one off the shelf. Manny Franco has the call. 

#3 BULLARD: Bob Hope S. (G3) romper was last seen finishing third in the San Vicente S. (G2) and will make his route debut today for Mike McCarthy. Dark bay son of Gun Runner is bred for the distance, and his running style suggests that he will perform well at two turns, as well. The $675,000 yearling purchase will have regular pilot Umberto Rispoli in the silks. 

#5 NATIVE RUNNER: Laoban colt has won two races in succession and has never been better for McPeek. The bay dominated optional claiming foes at Fair Grounds in his latest appearance, and he could challenge for a share with another move in the right direction. Jose Ortiz will be in the stirrups. 

#6 GOSGER: Nyquist homebred has run a pair of good ones to commence his career and is training swiftly in advance of his two-turn debut for Walsh. The gray is bred to love the distance and he also has the speed to stay in touch in the early going, as well. I expect the colt to be in range at the top of the lane with Irad taking the reins. 

#7 PRAETOR: Top pick beat Sovereignty in his two-year-old finale and dusted allowance runners at Gulfstream Park to kick off his three-year-old season for Chad Brown. $725,000 son of Into Mischief has every right to improve in his second appearance since the fall and having Flavien Prat in the silks is a bonus, too. The Kenbtucky-bred bay will be forwardly placed throughout in his stakes bow. 

#8 HYPNUS: McPeek pupil has been outrun in a pair of Grade 2 tilts leading up to his local debut and will run with blinkers on for this endeavor. The well-bred late runner could be up to the task, but I’d prefer to watch one with the equipment change in this contest. Luis Saez has the assignment.