Lexington crucial to Swipe's Kentucky Derby hopes

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Swipe is tentatively expected to make his 3-year-old debut in a race in which the colt would surely be the favorite, the Grade 3 Lexington Stakes at Keeneland next Saturday.

Runner-up to Nyquist in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile here last fall, Swipe was scheduled to breeze Saturday at Santa Anita, and then trainer Keith Desormeaux will decide whether to put him on a Wednesday flight to Kentucky. Swipe, a son of Birdstone, has gotten off to a late start on his year after undergoing minor ankle surgery. The Saturday work was to be his seventh since late February.

The 1 1/16-mile Lexington could determine whether Swipe will have enough eligibility points to make the lineup for the May 7 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. He currently has 12 points.

The Lexington is worth 17 points, including 10 to the winner, and is the last such opportunity on the Derby trail.

Swipe, owned by a three-way partnership, was 29-1 when he closed fastest of all under Victor Espinoza and finished just a half-length behind Nyquist in the BC Juvenile. In fact, Swipe ran second to Nyquist in his last four starts, starting with the Best Pal at Del Mar in August.

Desormeaux said a decision on a jockey for Swipe depended on the results of the Santa Anita Derby, in which Desormeaux’s brother Kent was to ride Exaggerator. Swipe could become Kent Desormeaux’s Kentucky Derby mount if Exaggerator did not perform to expectations.

As of Friday, the Keeneland racing office also was expecting Big Squeeze, Direct Message, Lomcevak, Pinson, Riker, Synchrony, Yo Carm, and probably a few more 3-year-olds for the Lexington. Of those, Riker has 10 Derby points and Synchrony has 2. Entries will be drawn Wednesday.

Catch a Glimpse in Appalachian

The stakes schedule for next week begins Thursday with the $125,000 Appalachian, a Grade 3 turf race at a mile. Catch a Glimpse, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Fillies, will be a heavy favorite in the one-mile race, also expected to get Baciami Piccola, Daddy’s Great Bay, Felt in Pocket, Outsider Art, and probably a few more 3-year-old fillies.

Catch a Glimpse, trained by Mark Casse, comes off a victory in the Feb. 27 Herecomesthebride at Gulfstream Park as a 3-5 favorite.

I’m a Chatterbox nearly ready

I’m a Chatterbox, an Eclipse Award finalist for top 3-year-old filly last year, is expected to make her seasonal debut in the Grade 3 Doubledogdare Stakes here April 22.

I’m a Chatterbox breezed here last Monday and will work another time or two for trainer Larry Jones leading into the 1 1/16-mile Doubledogdare. She was eighth in her most recent start, the Oct. 30 BC Distaff here last fall.

Ward ready with babies

The Sunday card brings the second race for 2-year-olds of the season, and Wesley Ward once again has the babies to catch when he sends out the uncoupled duo of Spellker and Red Lodge.

Ward won the first race of the meet Friday with the 2-year-old Big City Dreamin, who paid $2.80 as the heavy favorite.

◗ Many of the active riders in the Keeneland jockey colony will be available at an autograph session before the Sunday races. The one-hour session will be held near the paddock and starts at 11:30 a.m. All proceeds benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.