It Could Be a Race For Glory

Five years ago, Charismatic followed a victory in the Lexington Stakes at Keeneland with wins in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness.

The connections of the 14 3-year-olds scheduled to run in the Lexington, a $325,000 race at 1 1/16 miles, are hoping for a similar scenario.

The Grade II is basically the last chance for a horse to prove Derby worthy, and given how nobody has really stepped to the forefront this year, that won’t be hard to do.

Wayne Lukas, who ended a losing streak at Keeneland with a win by a 2-year-old on Friday, is hoping to catch lightning in a bottle with Race For Glory. A California-bred son of Cape Town owned by Bob and Beverly Lewis, he will be a huge price in the Lexington and rightfully so. Since winning the Cavonnier by seven lengths at Santa Anita on Oct. 1, Race For Glory has been beaten a combined 61 1/4 lengths in four starts.

Race of the day: Megahertz, who was justifiably disqualified out of a victory in the Santa Ana Handicap on March 27, will be favored when reunited with regular rider Alex Solis in today’s $200,000 Santa Barbara Handicap, a Grade II at 1 1/4 miles on the Santa Anita turf course.

One for the road: Parisian Affair was able to win despite a troubled trip in her debut at Gulfstream Park on March 18 and can score right back for trainer Christophe Clement in today’s 10th, a $54,000 allowance at 1 1/8 miles on the grass, at Keeneland.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Miss Mark, Taylor’s Series and Purple Toi in the second, Ata Olympio in the third and Imperial King, Waki American and Expressionist in the fourth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 3/244. Money: Previous day/meet total: $24.60/$1,325.80. Total money bet: $1,412.