My Boy Jack clinches Kentucky Derby berth in Lexington

LEXINGTON, Ky. – My Boy Jack clinched a spot in the 144th Kentucky Derby with a hard-earned victory Saturday in the 37th running of the Grade 3, $200,000 Stonestreet Lexington at Keeneland.

Jockey Kent Desormeaux went to his whip repeatedly leaving the far turn to the wire in sustaining momentum aboard My Boy Jack, who reeled in Telekinesis to narrowly capture the 1 1/16-mile Lexington as a 3-2 favorite in a field of 10 3-year-olds.

“He was very, very comfortable in his stride,” said Desormeaux.

My Boy Jack earned 20 Derby qualifying points by virtue of his triumph, giving him 52 points, easily enough to make the 20-horse cutoff for the May 5 classic at Churchill Downs.

:: ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Prep races, point standings, replays

“We’re going to the Derby!” shouted one of the many friends accompanying co-owner Kirk Godby across the track on their way to the infield winner’s circle.

“Unbelievable,” said Godby, whose Don’t Tell My Wife Stables co-owns My Boy Jack with the Monomoy Stables of Sol Kumin. “We came here to get the points, and he got the job done today.”

My Boy Jack returned $5 after finishing in 1:44.22 over a fast track and getting a 90 Beyer Speed Figure.

My Boy Jack, a dark bay colt by Creative Cause, is based in Southern California with trainer Keith Desormeaux, the jockey’s older brother. The colt’s three prior starts this year resulted in a third in the Grade 3 Sham at Santa Anita, a win in the Grade 3 Southwest at Oaklawn Park, and a third in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds.

Telekinesis, making just his third career start, never strayed far from the rail when getting a beautiful trip under Javier Castellano. Owned by the race sponsor, the Stonestreet Stables of Barbara Banke, the Ontario-bred colt came up just a head shy in a sharp effort.

“I really wanted to win this race for Barbara,” said Mark Casse, trainer of Telekinesis. “We’ll have to talk it over, but I think there’s some interest in pointing this colt to the Queen’s Plate.”

Pony Up, the only horse behind My Boy Jack in the first turn, rallied late to be third, another 2 1/2 lengths behind Telekinesis. Another half-length back on the wire was Greyvitos, who tired late after making all the pace in his first start since winning the Springboard Mile in December. After the top four, the order was Seven Trumpets, Zanesville, Honor Up, Navy Armed Guard, Gracida, and Arched Feather. Battle At Sea and Magicalmeister were early scratches.

The $2 exacta (12-2) paid $21.80, the $1 trifecta (12-2-7) returned $42.30, and the 10-cent superfecta (12-2-7-6) was worth $11.83.

Kent Desormeaux, a three-time Kentucky Derby winner (1998, 2000, 2008), said the 1 1/4-mile distance should suit the late-running My Boy Jack.

“I think it will [suit him] probably even better,” he said. “We always tend to get a true, honest pace in the Kentucky Derby and I think he’ll enjoy that.”