Last chance Lexington Stakes draws ten

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Lexington, KY (Sports Network) - The last chance for three-year-olds being pointed toward the Kentucky Derby to gain enough earnings will be Saturday at Keeneland with the $325,000 Lexington Stakes. The field of the Run for the Roses on May 6 is limited to 20 horses based on graded stakes earnings.

A victory in the Lexington will be worth $201,500, which should be enough to put the winner in the Kentucky Derby field. Charismatic, the 1999 winner, was the last three-year-old to pull off the Lexington-Kentucky Derby double.

The much talked about but seldom raced Showing Up tops the field in the 1 1/16 race. The colt is owned by Lael Stables, the same owner of Florida Derby winner Barbaro and is trained by Barclay Tagg of Funny Cide fame.

Showing Up has just two starts heading into Saturday, winning both with jockey Javier Castellano. However, Cornelio Velasquez picks up the mount in the Lexington and will start from post two in the ten horse field.

Gotham Stakes winner Like Now is also expected to receive considerable attention. The gelding will break from post eight with Fernando Jara in the saddle. Owned by John Dillon, Like Now is trained by Kiaran McLaughlin. McLaughlin also trains Wood Memorial runner-up Jazil.

In addition to taking the Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct, Like Now won the Fred Capossela Stakes at the New York track in February. The three-year-old has won all three starts this year for $188,457, and has amassed $213,932 in his career.

Baldwin Stakes winner Fast Parade will attempt to step up from the sprint win at Santa Anita Park. The gelding is owned by James McIngvale and trained by Peter Miller.

Fast Parade has just the lone start this year, but won two of four races in 2005. He has earned $107,300, but needs a win in the Lexington to qualify for the Kentucky Derby. He will start from post nine with jockey Mick Ruis.

Completing the field for the Lexington Stakes in post position order are Gone Prospecting, More Than Regal, Hemingway's Key, Bear Character, Special Interest, Chin High and Greeley's Legacy.