Lane's End Stakes attracts nine

By: Sports Network

Florence, KY (Sports Network) - Spanish Chestnut heads a field of nine

three- year-olds for Saturday's running of the Lane's End Stakes at Turfway Park.

 The 1 1/8 mile contest is an important stepping stone for Kentucky Derby hopefuls.

Spanish Chestnut, the San Rafael Stakes winner, has been installed as the 5-2

morning-line favorite and will start from post eight with Hall of Fame jockey

Gary Stevens in the saddle. Spanish Chestnut captured the San Rafael back in

January, but is coming off a third place finish earlier this month in the

Santa Catalina. Both races were run at Santa Anita Park.

The colt is owned by Derrick Smith and Michael Tabor, and trained by

 Patrick Biancone. Spanish Chestnut has won half of his six career starts for

$198,420. This is his second start in the Bluegrass State, having broken his

 maiden last October at Keeneland.

The second choice at 3-1 is John Battaglia Memorial winner Magna Graduate.

In the Battaglia, Magna Graduate registered a 3 3/4 length win over Pavo, who

 last week was disqualified from second in the Gotham Stakes. Magna Graduate

will be ridden by Jerry Bailey for the first time and break from post two. The

 colt is trained by Patrick Byrne for owner Elisabeth Alexander. Magna Graduate

has earnings of $152,582 with three wins in seven starts.

Coming in from Florida is Andromeda's Hero, winner of the Sam F. Davis

Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. Andromeda's Hero is the 5-1 third selection in

 the morning line and another of trainer Nick Zito's runners. The colt will start

 from post four with Rafael Bejarano riding. Andromeda's Hero has won two of

 four starts for owner Robert LaPenta with earnings of $65,270.

Trainer Ken McPeek has a pair runners entered Saturday. Diamond Isle is 15-1

 in the morning line and will break from the inside post. Wild Desert will start

from post three and is 6-1 in the program. Wild Desert was fifth this month in

 the Fountain of Youth Stakes.

Also listed at 6-1 is Texcess. Texcess was the beaten favorite in last month's

San Mateo Mile at Bay Meadows, finishing second in that race after a third place

 finish to Spanish Chestnut is the San Rafael Stakes. Texcess will start from post

 six with Rene Douglas in the saddle. The gelding is by far the highest earner in

 the Lane's End with $763,427. He is trained by co-owner Paul Aguirre.

David Cassidy of Partridge Family fame is the managing partner for undefeated

Mayan King. Mayan King will be making his first start in a stakes race after

recording wins in his two career opening starts this year. The colt is trained by

Gary Contessa.

Rounding out the field for the Lane's End Stakes are Flower Alley and Mr Sword.