Friday, April 19, 2002
Derby hopefuls entered in Saturday's Lexington Stakes
Dancethruthedawn wins Doubledogdare
Enquirer staff and news services
LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Lexington Stakes at Keeneland on Saturday is almost certain to produce a Kentucky Derby entrant or two.
The Lexington field is so strong it's tough to eliminate any of the nine 3-year-olds entered Thursday for the 1 1-16-mile race.
Officer, a top Derby contender until losing three races in a row late last year, was made the 8-5 morning-line favorite off his one race this year — a win in the Zany Tactic Stakes at Santa Anita on April 7.
Trainer Bob Baffert won't rule out the Derby, but said it would be a long shot at best for his colt to earn a shot even with a win in the Lexington. Victor Espinoza will ride Officer, a winner of six of nine career starts.
Ethan Man will run in the Derby with a strong effort Saturday, which will be the horse's first trip around two turns. Trained by Pat Byrne, Ethan Man was the 5-2 second choice.
Easyfromthegitgo, second in the Louisiana Derby, was the third choice at 3-1. Trained by Steve Asmussen, who already has Private Emblem and Windward Passage as his Derby starters, Easyfromthegitgo is a doubtful Derby horse for now.
Also saddling Lexington runners are D. Wayne Lukas and Nick Zito. Lukas has Proud Citizen, who was seventh in the Santa Anita Derby. He's 8-1. Lukas could be without a Derby horse for the second consecutive year after a string of 20 straight starts.
Zito trains two 15-1 shots — American Style and Crimson Hero.
The Lexington field, from the rail out: Mucho Rapido, Proud Citizen, Easyfromthegitgo, American Style, Tails From The Crypt, Officer, Ethan Man, One Tuff Fox and Crimson Hero.
Dancethruthedawn wins Doubledogdare
Dancethruthedawn took the lead in the final turn and drew off for a 5 1/2-length victory in Thursday's featured $107,600 Doubledogdare Stakes at Keeneland.
The 4-year-old daughter of Mr. Prospector was making her first start in seven months. She ran the 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:42.92 with Robby Albarado aboard.
The Mark Frostad-trained Dancethruthedawn won for the sixth time in 11 starts and earned $66,712 for owner Sam-Son Farm. She paid $4.20, $2.80.
Maltese Superb, with Jorge Chavez riding, placed second and paid $3.60.
Show wagering was cancelled for the five-horse field.
De Bertie, with Jerry Bailey aboard, finished third.
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Derby hopefuls entered in Saturday's Lexington Stakes