On to Kentucky Derby 2018 as My Boy Jack wins Lexington Stakes

Trainer Keith Desormeaux said My Boy Jack would need to win Saturday’s Grade 3, $200,000 Lexington Stakes, and do so “decisively” to advance to the 2018 Kentucky Derby.

The colt earned his trip to Louisville after using his signature, late-running style to nab upstart 3-year-old Telekinesis by a head Keeneland.

Under jockey Kent Desormeax, My Boy Jack, a son of Creative Cause, went from second-to-last into the first turn to the lead at the wire as a 3-2 favorite.

The final time for 1 1/16 miles was 1:44.22.

"Everyone knows we came here to get points," said co-owner Kirk Godby, "and he got the job done today. I just couldn't be more thrilled."

My Boy Jack made similar runs to win the Southwest Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park and run a close third in Fair Grounds’ Louisiana Derby (G2). But the narrow last-out miss for the runner-up left him needing points to secure a trip to Churchill Downs.

The Lexington — not normally a key race on the Derby trail — fulfilled that need with My Boy Jack’s total jumping from 32 to 52 with the win.

“He was very, very comfortable in his stride and that was pretty much a repeat of his last start," said jockey Kent Desormeaux, Keith's brother. "Fortunately I didn’t grab a hot dog at the quarter pole and that made the difference.”

Kent Desormeaux pulled My Boy Jack from the No. 12 post position inward after the break. And Greyvitos, a previous Derby trail winner making his return to the races, gave the closer something to run off after clocking an opening half mile in 47.11 seconds.

As Greyvitos faded, Telekinesis took to the front, only to be caught late after My Boy Jack gobbled up ground moving outside through the far turn.

"When I saw Kent bring him up down the back stretch, and we were within six, seven lengths, I felt pretty good about it," Godby said. "I was just hoping he had the gas to get home in the short stretch."

The late runner who rallied alongside of My Boy Jack, Pony Up, ran third with Greyvitos fourth.

The Lexington has recently served as an indicator of top 3-year-olds looking beyond the Triple Crown series, with Collected its 2016 winner and champion West Coast the 2017 runner-up. This year, it sends to Churchill Downs a contender with a strong late kick in the Kentucky Derby.