Lexington Winner Might Make Derby Cut

With 20 points available toward the 139th running of the $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) for the winner of Saturday’s $200,000 Coolmore Lexington (G3), a spot in the Churchill Downs starting gate on May 4 might be within reach.

The Derby is limited to the top 20 point earners that pass the entry box and with only the Coolmore Lexington and Derby Trial (G3) on April 27 left to run, the cutoff point stands at 20. The first tiebreaker is earnings in non-restricted stakes and the Coolmore Lexington is worth $120,000 to the winner.

The three horses with 20 points are third-place Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) finisher Charming Kitten ($206,000), Code West ($90,000) and Tiz a Minister ($81,000).

Keeneland officials have nine horses confirmed as likely to pass the entry box Wednesday, including the filly Pure Fun. Any Coolmore Lexington points accrued by Pure Fun would be applied to the Kentucky Oaks (G1), which is limited to 14 starters. Pure Fun has 20 points toward the Oaks with the current cut line at 34. A victory would move her to No. 13.

Others considered as probable for the Coolmore Lexington are Cerro (IRE), Examen, Hip Four Sixtynine, Johnny Handsome, Pick of the Litter, Title Contender, Where’s Dominic and Winning Cause. None of these horses has any Kentucky Derby points.