LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Winning Cause won the $200,000 Lexington Stakes at Keeneland on Saturday to give trainer Todd Pletcher perhaps another Kentucky Derby qualifier.
Pletcher’s next move is deciding whether the 3-year-old will join top contender Verrazano and several other of the trainer’s horses in the Derby on May 4.
The Derby is limited to 20 horses. Winning Cause is behind Pletcher’s Charming Kitten at 21st after earning 20 points and $120,000 in non-restricted earnings with his victory in the Grade 3 race.
Winning Cause has now won three times over Keeneland’s synthetic surface. Breaking from the No. 1 post with Julien Leparoux aboard, Winning Cause covered 1-1/16 miles in 1:43.93 and paid $15.60, $8.20 and $6.00.
General Election was second and returned $29.60 and $17.80. Pick of the Litter paid $8.20 to show.
