Top Stakes to Bet On: Lexington Stakes

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There’s one more Kentucky Derby prep race to run. On Saturday, three-year-olds with Derby dreams head to Keeneland for the Grade 3 Lexington Stakes. The final Derby prep is one of the few graded stakes races happening on Friday and Saturday. Check out info for the Grade 3 Lexington as well as info for three other fantastic graded stakes races happening this weekend. Check out top plays and Horse Racing Odds for the Top Stakes Races of the Week from Friday, Apr. 15th to Saturday, Apr. 16th. You can also visit our Online Racebook to place your bets on active racetracks.

Horse Racing Odds & Picks April 11th Edition

Keeneland – Friday, April 15

Grade 1 – Maker’s Mark Mile – 1 mile turf – 4 years old & up

The Maker’s Mark Mile is one of the most popular turf races during Keeneland’s two-week pre-Churchill Downs meet. This year, don’t expect a favorite to win the race.

Every horse that enters will have a shot, including Breeders’ Cup Mile second place finisher Smooth Like Strait, and Somelikeithotbrown.

Ivar, which finished third in the BC Mile, Mike Maker trained Atone, the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational fourth place finisher, Grade 1 Frank E. Kilroe Mile winner Count Again, and Masen will also run.

Oaklawn – Saturday, April 16

Grade 3 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap – 6 furlongs dirt – 4 years old & up

Steve Asmussen trained Jackie’s Warrior entered the Breeders’ Cup Sprint an odds on favorite. Jackie faced intense pressure early and failed to hit the board, crossing the finish line in sixth place. On Saturday, Jackie returns to the races in the Count Fleet Sprint.

Once again, the Asmussen trained runner should go off at underlay odds. Jackie’s Warrior will be tough to beat. But a couple of horses could challenge. One of those challengers is Bob’s Edge from the Larry J. Jones’ barn.

The Competitive Edge sired runner won the Grade 3 Whitmore Stakes in his last. Bob’s Edge is a closer. The race could set up for the Jones’ runner because Hollis will press Jackie’s Warrior from the outset.

Keeneland – Saturday, April 16

Grade 3 Lexington Stakes – 1 1/16 miles dirt – 3 years & up

The 2022 Lexington Stakes is wide-open. Todd Pletcher hopes to secure a Derby spot with

Major General. The tenth place Tampa Bay Derby finisher won the Grade 3 Iroquois last year.

So the talent is there.

Major General will have to pick up his feet. The good news? The General’s top competition

Includes Call Me Midnight, Strava, In Due Time, and Tawny Port. Nobody considers any of those runners legit Derby contenders.

Grade 1 Jenny Wiley Stakes – 1 1/16 miles turf – 4 years old fillies & mares

Right now, just six four-year-old fillies and mares will run in the Grade 1 Jenny Wiley Stakes. All six have a chance. The likely favorite should be Chad Brown trained Regal Glory.

Last out, the Animal Kingdom sired six-year-old mare caught Alms to win the Grade 3 Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf. The victory was Regal Glory’s second straight. In the previous race, the Brown runner had taken the Grade 1 Matriarch.

Alms will try to the turn the tables. Other contenders include stablemate Shantisara, Waliyak, Navratilova, and Abscond.

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