The Grade III Stonestreet Lexington Stakes at Keeneland Race Park is set to be an exciting race for three-year-olds, offering a final opportunity for horses to earn qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby. Scheduled for Saturday, April 12, 2025, this stakes race will be run over 1 1/16 miles on dirt, with a purse of $400,000.
Field Overview
Bracket Buster
Jockey: Manuel Franco
Trainer: Victoria Oliver
Pedigree: By Into Mischief out of Songbird’s Melody (by Medaglia d’Oro)
Analysis: A promising colt with tactical speed, Bracket Buster has shown potential in his recent starts and could be a strong contender.
Bullard
Jockey: Umberto Rispoli
Trainer: Michael W. McCarthy
Pedigree: By Quality Road out of Sweet Symphony (by A.P. Indy)
Analysis: Known for his stamina and consistency, Bullard has the pedigree to excel at this distance.
Gosger
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Trainer: Brendan P. Walsh
Pedigree: By Tapit out of Silver Charm’s Legacy (by Silver Charm)
Analysis: A lightly raced colt with impressive workouts, Gosger could surprise with a strong performance.
Hard As Life
Jockey: Sophie Doyle
Trainer: Michelle Nihei
Pedigree: By Hard Spun out of Life’s Sweet (by Candy Ride)
Analysis: A gritty competitor with a solid dirt record, Hard As Life will look to capitalize on his experience.
Hypnus
Jockey: Luis Saez
Trainer: Kenneth G. McPeek
Pedigree: By Curlin out of Hypnotic Dancer (by Distorted Humor)
Analysis: Hypnus has shown flashes of brilliance and could be a major player if he gets a clean trip.
Native Runner
Jockey: Jose L. Ortiz
Trainer: Kenneth G. McPeek
Pedigree: By Gun Runner out of Native Beauty (by Bernardini)
Analysis: A consistent performer with a strong closing kick, Native Runner is well-suited for this distance.
Praetor
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Trainer: Chad C. Brown
Pedigree: By Empire Maker out of Roman Elegance (by Roman Ruler)
Analysis: A colt with excellent pedigree and top-class connections, Praetor is expected to be among the favorites.
Rolando
Jockey: John R. Velazquez
Trainer: Fausto Gutierrez
Pedigree: By Uncle Mo out of Rolanda’s Song (by Songandaprayer)
Analysis: Rolando has shown versatility and could be a contender with the right trip.
Touchy
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Trainer: Wesley A. Ward
Pedigree: By Street Sense out of Touch of Class (by Giant’s Causeway)
Analysis: A speedy colt with a strong dirt record, Touchy could set the pace and challenge the closers.
Race Dynamics
The race is expected to feature a mix of early speed and late closers. Horses like Touchy and Hard As Life could set the pace, while strong closers like Native Runner and Praetor will look to capitalize on a fast early tempo. The dirt surface at Keeneland often favors horses with tactical speed, making positioning crucial.
Key Contenders
Praetor: With Chad Brown’s training expertise and Flavien Prat aboard, this colt is a top contender.
Native Runner: A consistent closer with a strong pedigree, he could thrive at this distance.
Touchy: Speedy and versatile, Touchy could dictate the pace and hold off challengers.
Hypnus: If he gets a clean trip, Hypnus has the talent to make a big impact.
