Lexington Stakes attracts eight Derby hopefuls

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Lexington, KY (Sports Network) - Highly-regarded Rockport Harbor is listed as

 the 6-5 morning-line favorite for Saturday's $325,000 Lexington Stakes at

 Keeneland. The oft-injured three-year-old will take on seven rivals in the

1 1/16 mile test.

Rockport Harbor finished his two-year-old campaign undefeated in four starts,

 but suffered a hoof injury in his final race. That injury has flared up this year

 to hinder his training. The colt missed the Arkansas Derby after being diagnosed

 with a blood clot in his lungs.

Owned by Fox Hill Farms, Rockport Harbor is trained by John Servis and ridden

 by Stewart Elliott, the duo who conditioned and rode last year's Kentucky Derby

winner Smarty Jones. Rockport Harbor finished second in his only start of 2005

 in the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park. He will start from post five on Saturday.

The 4-1 second choice in the program is Going Wild, who will break from post

four with Gary Stevens in the saddle. The colt is coming off a seventh-place

finish in the Wood Memorial after wins in the San Miguel and Sham Stakes. He

 also was second in the Santa Catalina Stakes behind Declan's Moon.

Going Wild is owned by Robert and Beverly Lewis, who sent out Charismatic

 in this race in 1999 on his way to winning the Kentucky Derby. The Lewis'

also owned 1997 Derby winner Silver Charm. Trained by D. Wayne Lukas,

Going Wild has earned $219,920 in his career. Lukas has trained four

Kentucky Derby winners.

Storm Surge and Sort It Out are both listed at 5-1 in morning line.

Storm Surge will start from post three with Robby Albarado riding. The colt,

 owned by Overbrook Farm and trained by Dallas Stewart, had been racing at

 the Fair Grounds in New Orleans. He won the Lecomte Stakes followed by

third-place finishes in the Risen Star Stakes and the Louisiana Derby. Storm Surge

has won five of 10 lifetime starts for $335,270.

Sort It Out will be ridden by Patrick Valenzuela from post six. He is owned by

 Stonerside Stable and Preferred Partners, and trained by Bob Baffert. Sort It Out

 captured the Whirlaway Stakes at Aqueduct before joining Baffert. He was

 eighth in the Louisiana Derby and third in the WinStar Derby. Sort It Out has

earned $207,375 in 11 starts and four wins.

Completing the field for Lexington Stakes are Actxecutive, Coin Silver, Skye'n

 Thunder and Forever Wild.