Behindatthebar thrust himself into the Kentucky Derby (G1) picture Saturday at Keeneland with a come-from-behind victory in the $325,000, Grade 2 Coolmore Lexington Stakes.
Trailing by as many as 15 lengths early in the 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds, the son of Forest Wildcat wore down pacesetter Samba Rooster in the final sixteenth of a mile to win by a length under jockey David Flores.
“When he passed those horses, he wanted to lug in and stay with the horses but I just kind of let him gallop out,” said Flores. “It doesn’t look like the distance is going to be a problem.”
Samba Rooster held on for second after setting a fast pace with jockey Garrett Gomez aboard. He finished a half-length in front of third-place Riley Tucker with Racecar Rhapsody another head back in fourth.
Samba Rooster raced the quarter in :22.78, the half in :45.21, the three-quarters in 1:09.48 and the mile in 1:35.47 on a Polytrack surface that was dampened by a late afternoon shower.
It was the first start outside of California for Behindatthebar, who ran the distance in 1:42.14 and earned $201,500 for the partnership of Padua Stables, Michael Shustek and W. Don Stanley.
The winner also gave trainer Todd Pletcher another prospect for the Kentucky Derby to be run in two weeks at Churchill Downs. The Pletcher trained Monba and Cowboy Cal finished first and second, respectively, in last week’s $750,000, Grade 1 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland.
“We’ve had a good couple of weeks,” said Pletcher after the latest win.
The victory improved Behindatthebar’s record to three wins in five starts and increased his career earnings to $277,100. His earnings in graded races–$204,500—rank him in the top 20 among the prospective Derby starters.
“We were impressed by this horse obviously not only today but by the way he ran in California, and David’s been really high on him,” said Pletcher. In his previous start, Behindatthebar won a 1 1/16-mile allowance race on April 3 At Santa Anita.
“Of course, we were concerned about coming back in 16 days but we knew he liked the synthetic surface so we figured we’d give it a shot,” Pletcher added.
Behindatthebar paid $13.60, $7.60 and $5.20 as the fifth choice in the betting. Samba Rooster returned $17 and $9.20 and Riley Tucker with John Velazquez aboard paid $6.80.
Tomcito, who finished third in the recent Florida Derby (G1) after winning four of five starts in Peru last year, finished sixth in the 11-horse field as the slight favorite.
In the supporting feature, Danceroftherealm (GB) sped 5 ½ furlongs on the turf in 1:03.33 to win the $111,2000 Giant’s Causeway Stakes for fillies and mares.
The five-year-old daughter of King of Kings (IRE) won by a half length under top weight of 124 pounds including jockey Miguel Mena. It was her fourth consecutive victory—all at 5 ½ furlongs on the turf.
Danceroftherealm paid $7.20, $4.60 and $2.80 as the second choice. Just for Keeps, the early leader, finished second but was disqualified and placed fifth for interference in deep stretch. Kindling was moved up to second and paid $9.40 and $4.20. Jazzy (ARG), the original fourth-place finisher, was elevated to third and paid $2.60.
In the first stakes of the afternoon, Jade’s Revenge took charge under jockey Edgar Prado with a half-mile remaining and gradually pulled away to a 3 ¾-length victory in the $109,900 Fort Harrod Stakes.
Contested at the rarely used distance of 1 5/8 miles, the Fort Harrod is one of several distance races that have been schedule at racetracks around the country leading up to the Breeders’ Cup Marathon in October at Santa Anita.
Jade’s Revenge ran the distance in 2:42.69 and won for the second time in as many starts on Keeneland’s Polytrack. He captured the Ben Ali Stakes (G3) almost 12 months ago.
“I just wanted to keep him happy the first part of the race,” said Prado. “He was very comfortable galloping along (in second just off the lead). I just wanted to have something left over for the finish.”
Save Big Money rallied from last place in the field of seven four-year-olds and upward to finish second, a nose in front of High Blues. It was 2 ½ lengths back to fourth-place Nolan’s Cat. Rathor (IRE), Successful Affair and Poison Pill completed the field.
Jade’s Revenge, a five-year-old son of Quiet American, earned $68,138 for Bushwood Stables. He paid $13.60, $8.40 and $5.20 as the fifth choice. The winner is trained by Graham Motion.
Save Big Money returned $6.60 and $4.40 and High Blues returned $3.60.
Jade’s Revenge improved his record to six wins in 22 starts and increased his career earnings to $291,328.
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