Showing Up shows up to win Lexington Stakes

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Lexington, KY (Sports Network) - Showing Up, the most talked about non- stakes winner on the three-year-old scene, came from off the pace to win Saturday's $325,000 Lexington Stakes at Keeneland Race Course. The victory was worth $201,500 and should be enough to qualify Showing Up for the Kentucky Derby.

Showing Up is owned by Lael Stables, which also owns Florida Derby winner Barbaro. The colt is trained by Barclay Tagg who trained 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Funny Cide. Showing Up ended up in the Lexington after a minor problem kept him out of the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct. Saturday's race was only his third career start, all of which have been wins, and his first in a stakes.

The pace in the Lexington Stakes was set by morning line favorite Like Now and Fast Parade. The two dueled up the backstretch, exchanging the lead as they went. Racing off the pace and saving ground along the rail was Showing Up.

On the turn for home Showing Up, ridden by Cornelio Velasquez, began to advance on the inside as Fast Parade faded and Like Now took the lead. Midway on the turn Showing Up was moved off the rail to give him a clear shot at the lead.

Showing Up went on to win by a length over Like Now with Bear Character third and Greeley's Legacy fourth in the ten-horse field. Completing the order of finish was More Than Regal, Chin High, Fast Parade, Hemingway's Key, Special Interest and Gone Prospecting.

The time for the 1 1/16 miles was 1:46.42 on a fast track.

This was the first time Velasquez had ever ridden Showing Up. Javier Castellano had been the colt's previous jockey. Showing Up was 4-1 in the morning line, but was bet down to the 3-2 post-time favorite.

Showing Up returned $5.00, $3.20 and $3.00, Like Now paid $4.40 and $3.60, and Bear Character paid $9.40 for show.

Showing Up will now attempt to become the first Lexington Stakes winner to win the Run for the Roses since Charismatic in 1999.