Lexitonian eyes Saratoga's Allen Jerkens following stakes score

From Arlington to Laurel Park, trainer Jack Sisterson enjoyed a highly successful weekend with stakes winners at both ovals. He sent out Lexitonian to a stakes victory at Laurel with a win in the Concern Stakes over Grade 1 winner Mind Control. 

Following the effort, which garnered an 84 Beyer Speed Figure, Sisterson is considering the Grade 1, $500,000 H. Allen Jerkens Stakes for the Calumet Farm homebred by Speightstown.

"I definitely have that race in mind," Sisterson said. "I potentially could stretch him out at some point as well."

Lexitonian made his first start of the year at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby day against allowance company, finishing fifth. He then spun back in two weeks to win the Grade 2 Chick Lang at 17-1 odds before running 10th in the Grade 1 Woody Stephens on June 8. 

Sisterson admitted that racing three times in five weeks was asking quite a bit out of the horse. 

"Timing-wise it caught up with him," he said. "He trained well out of the Woody Stephens and we wanted to put him in a softer spot to get some confidence back in him. Jerry O'Dwyer looked after him for us when he was at Laurel. We changed tactics an hour before the race, On paper in looked like there wasn't much speed in the race and give credit to [jockey] Sheldon [Russell] for adapting to those tactics."

Vexatious, second in the Grade 3 Modesty at Arlington Park, could ship to Saratoga and race over the main track in the $100,000 Summer Colony on August 18. 

The well-bred daughter of Giant's Causeway and full sister to graded stakes producing sire Creative Cause and graded-stakes winner Destin is graded-stakes placed on dirt with third's in the Grade 2 Fair Grounds Oaks and Grade 3 Fantasy during her sophomore campaign. She also was fourth in the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks in 2017. 

Her last eight starts came on turf, including a win in the Grade 3 Dowager at Keeneland via disqualification.

"She trains exceptional over the main track at Keeneland and ran well in the Kentucky Oaks a couple of years back," Sisterson said. "I figured we could give her a shot on dirt. Timing wise, it gives us plenty of time to get over the race at Arlington."

Sisterson also stated that the Grade 1, $850,000 Sword Dancer on August 24 is among the options for Grade 3 Arlington Handicap winner Bandua, who is also under consideration for the Grade 1, $1 million Arlington Million and the Grade 2, $250,000 Del Mar Handicap on August 17.