Exhi Never Headed in Lexington Stakes

Disappointed just a week earlier when their 3-1 favorite Interactif (Broken Vow) could only finish fourth in the Blue Grass S. (G1), owner-breeder Wertheimer and Frere and trainer Todd Pletcher enjoyed a consolation prize of sorts in Saturday's $300,000 Lexington S. (G2) as their colt EXHI (Maria's Mon) lead gate-to-wire over 11 rivals on a track that has played kindly toward speed for most of the spring meet. Dismissed at nearly 20-1 despite a near front-running triumph in the March 27 Rushaway S. at Turfway Park, the bay led by at least one length at every call under Robby Albarado and counted that margin as the winning one after 1 1/16 miles in 1:44 1/5.