Keeneland: Pure Fun may try males in Lexington

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Trainer Ken McPeek said he is “seriously considering” the filly Pure Fun for a run against 3-year-old males here at Keeneland on April 20 in the Coolmore Lexington Stakes, a 1 1/16-mile Polytrack race that offers 20 points to the winner on the new eligibility system being used for the Derby.

McPeek noted correctly that Derby points can be used by a filly toward the Kentucky Oaks, whereas points earned in races restricted to fillies cannot be used toward the Derby.

Pure Fun, winner of the Grade 1 Hollywood Starlet in December, is on the bubble for the May 3 Oaks, and McPeek fears she may be excluded if the race is oversubscribed and Pure Fun doesn’t race again. Pure Fun was third as a 4-5 favorite in her only start this year, the March 23 Bourbonette Oaks at Turfway Park.

McPeek said Pure Fun exited the Bourbonette with a “minor setback, and that messed up our timing” in terms of wanting to use the Ashland Stakes here last weekend or the Fantasy this week at Oaklawn Park as a final Oaks prep for the filly.

“Timing-wise,” he said, “the Lexington might be just right. We’re sorting through it all. If she works well this weekend and drills the feed tub, we might just run her against the boys. I know it’s a little unconventional, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.”

McPeek said he also has Taken by the Storm, fourth behind Black Onyx in the March 23 Spiral at Turfway, under consideration for the Lexington.