Lexington, KY (SportsNetwork.com) – Divining Rod, winless since his first
career start, roared down the stretch Saturday to win the $250,000
Lexington Stakes at Keeneland.
The 1 1/16-mile Lexington featured seven 3-year-olds looking for points in
the Kentucky Derby points system. Diving Rod, trained by Arnaud Delacour for
Lael Stables, went off as the 5-2 co-second pick along with Fame and Power
with Donworth at 8-5.
Setting the pace in the Lexington was Fame and Power with Donworth to his
outside in second and Diving Rod, with jockey Julien Leparoux, racing toward
the inside in third.
Around the final turn, Divining Rod was moved to the outside for running room.
The colt surge through the stretch passing both Fame and Power and Donworth.
Diving Rod hit the wire with a three-length cushion over Donworth who nosed
out Fame and Power for second.
Completing the order of finish were Comfort, Henry Jones, Tiznow R J and
Quimet.
The time for the Lexington was 1:43.29 on a fast track.
Divining Rod picked up 10 points and now has 20 toward an outside chance to
start in the Kentucky Derby on May 2.
Divining Rod won for just the second time in his five race career and pocketed
$150,000. He now has lifetime earnings of $249,800.
The colt raced in Tampa Bay Downs’ two stakes for 3-year-olds this season,
finishing second in the Sam F. Davis on Jan. 31 and five weeks later was
third in the Tampa Bay Derby behind eventual Blue Grass Stakes winner Carpe
Diem.
Divining Rod returned $7.80, $3.60 and $2.40. Donworth paid $3.60 and $2.60,
and Fame and Power paid $2.60 to show.
