Swipe works from gate for Lexington Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – Swipe, unraced since finishing second in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Keeneland last October, worked six furlongs from the gate in 1:13 at Santa Anita on Saturday.

The workout was a key part of Swipe’s preparation for his first start of the year in the $150,000 Lexington Stakes at 1 1/16 miles at Keeneland on April 16. Trainer Keith Desormeaux is hoping to parlay a win in the Lexington Stakes into a start in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 7.

Swipe needs a win in the Lexington to gain qualifying points that would ensure a position in the gate for the Kentucky Derby.

Swipe has not raced since the BC Juvenile after undergoing surgery to have a bone chip removed from an ankle last November.

In Saturday’s workout, Swipe worked alone under jockey Kent Desormeaux but was on the track at the same time as Kobe’s Back, the graded stakes-winning sprinter. Swipe began behind Kobe’s Back and closed the gap on that rival in the stretch.

“Keith was hoping for company, and he got Kobe’s Back,” Kent Desormeaux said.

Kent Desormeaux told his brother that Swipe was close enough to Kobe’s Back to get some dirt in his face during the exercise.

Keith Desormeaux said he timed Swipe finishing the last half-mile in 48 seconds.

Owned by Matt Bryan’s Big Chief Racing, James Justice, and Billy Shelton, Swipe has one win in seven starts and has earned $608,330.

Kobe’s Back, a candidate for the $500,000 Churchill Downs Stakes at seven furlongs on May 7, was timed in 49.20 seconds for a half-mile.