Lexington, KY (Sports Network) - With a spot in the 136th Kentucky Derby on the line, 12 three-year-olds have been entered for Saturday's $300,000 Lexington Stakes at Keeneland.
The 1 1/16-mile Lexington is a Grade 2 event where the earnings are counted toward entry into the Run for the Roses. The Kentucky Derby is limited to the top 20 three-year-olds with the most winnings from graded stakes.
In 1999 Charismatic followed his Lexington victory with wins in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.
Topping the Lexington field is California shipper Connemara. Another three- year-old from trainer Todd Pletcher, Connemara will start from post 10 with Russell Baze in the saddle.
The chestnut colt is owned by Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith. Connemara won the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields in February and was second in the California Derby to Ranger Heartley at the north California track the previous month. In his last start the colt was third in the Lane's End Stakes to Dean's Kitten.
Connemara has a lifetime bankroll of $147,800 with three wins in four career starts.
Exhi, winner of the Rushaway Stakes, will break from post eight with Robby Albarado riding. The colt is also trained by Todd Pletcher and owned by Alain and Gerard Wertheimer.
Pletcher won last year's Lexington with Advice and the 2008 running with Behindatthebar.
Exhi won the Rushaway at Turfway Park at odds of 8-1, but with Baze in the saddle. He has won two of seven career starts for $104,198.
Wayne Catalano, trainer of champion filly She Be Wild, sends out Call Shot in the Lexington. The colt will be ridden by Jose Alvarado and start from post five.
Owned by Gary and Mary West, the colt began the year by finishing third in the Dania Beach Stakes on the turf at Gulfstream Park in January. One month later he again was third at Gulfstream in an allowance race. Call Shot has earnings of $67,128 with two wins in six starts.
Here is the complete field for the Lexington in post position order: Krypton, Alan Garcia: Uptowncharlybrown, Garrett Gomez; Distorted Dave, Victor Espinoza; Bushwhacked, Rajiv Maragh; Call Shot, Junior Alvarado; Prince Will I Am, Calvin Borel; Lonesome Street, Julien Leparoux; Exhi, Robby Albarado; Heavenville, Shaun Bridgmohan; Connemara, Russell Baze; Kettle River, Javier Castellano and Chief Counsel, Kent Desormeaux.
Exhi and Connemara will both carry 121 pounds while all others will carry 117 pounds.
Post-time for the 29th Lexington Stakes is set for 5:15 p.m. (et).
