Lexington Stakes Could Be Last Shot for Lukas

Whether there will be additional entrants in the Kentucky Derby two weeks from today will be known after today’s $325,000 Coolmore Lexington Stakes at Keeneland.

The Grade II at 1 1/16 miles is the last chance for eight 3-year-olds to prove they merit a trip to Churchill Downs.

For trainer Wayne Lukas, success in the Lexington has led to more of the same in the Derby. Charismatic won at Keeneland, then won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. Then, last year, Proud Citizen finished second to War Emblem in Louisville after winning at Keeneland.

In danger of not having a Kentucky Derby starter for only the second time in 23 years, Lukas is hoping for more of the same Lexington magic with Scrimshaw.

Owned by Bob and Beverly Lewis, Scrimshaw, a son of Gulch, won his first two starts sprinting at Santa Anita. He finished third in the Santa Catalina Stakes in his first route in January, then was fourth in the Hutcheson at Gulfstream Park a month later when shortened to seven furlongs.

Since then, Scrimshaw has undergo minor surgery to correct a breathing problem, but it still remains to be seen whether the colt wants to run long.

Drawn on the rail, Scrimshaw will break inside of Ministers Wild Cat, who will have blinkers added by trainer Neil Drysdale; Eye Of The Tiger, Most Feared, Domestic Disputer, a last-minute entrant by trainer Bob Baffert after likely favorite Midas Eyes passed the Lexington in favor of next weekend’s Derby Trial at Churchill Downs; Champali, Ocean Terrace and Trust N Luck.

Owned by Irving and Marjorie Cowan, Ministers Wild Cat was scratched from the Santa Anita Derby on April 5 because of a bruised foot. Apparently, he recovered quickly because he worked seven furlongs at Hollywood Park five days later. A winner of two of four, the son of Deputy Minister and half-brother of former Breeders’ Cup Mile winner War Chant will be ridden for the first time by Victor Espinoza.

Ocean Terrace, a Saint Ballado colt trained by Bob Hess Jr. for the Fog City Stable, also will have a new jockey in Shane Sellers. After winning his first three starts, Ocean Terrace was beaten by 47 1/2 lengths after being part of the pace in the Santa Anita Derby.

Indian Express, the longshot he battled on the lead, finished second, beaten in a photo by Buddy Gil.

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There was an easy winner of the $100,000 Comely on Friday at Aqueduct, but it wasn’t the 3-year-old filly most people expected.

Cyber Secret, a daughter of Cyberspace and a $65,000 claim by trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. for a partnership last summer, went wire-to-wire in the Grade III. Favored Storm Flag Flying was second, 5 1/2 lengths back.

Storm Flag Flying was making her first start since she capped her championship 2-year-old season by winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies last Oct. 26. Ridden by Shaun Bridgmohan, Cyber Secret, the 7-2 second choice in the field of five, completed the mile in 1:35.97 and has now won five of eight.

Said trainer Shug McGaughey, the trainer of Storm Flag Flying: “This was the race I was really nervous about because it had been a while since she had run and was catching [Cyber Secret] over a track that she has been running well over.

“We just weren’t good enough today, but she will be later. She’ll be fine.”