LEXINGTON STAKES : Grand Jewel Wins, Leans Toward Derby

LEXINGTON, Ky. —  Grand Jewel outlasted undefeated El Bakan in the Grade II Lexington Stakes, winning by a half-length in the field of nine 3-year-olds before 18,180 at Keeneland on Sunday.

Will Farish, who owns the Java Gold colt with William Kilroy, wouldn’t confirm that Grand Jewel will run in the Kentucky Derby on May 1, but said, “You’ve got to be ready for the Derby. You have to know in your heart that the horse is ready for it.”

Robert Perez, El Bakan’s owner, said his horse probably will run in the Derby on May 1.

Grand Jewel, improving to 3-1-1 in five starts, was third, behind El Bakan and Williamstown, before making a move on the outside under Jerry Bailey in the 1 1/16-mile race.

Grand Jewel went ahead of El Bakan at the top of the stretch, but El Bakan retook the lead momentarily before Grand Jewel beat him to the wire.

“It was a slow pace, and he pretty much got up there on his own to (go) for the lead and then I set him down hard,” Bailey said. “He ran a good race.”

The winning time in the $140,675 event was 1:43 3/5 over a fast track.

Truth Of It All finished third, a nose in front of Williamstown.

Grand Jewel returned $6.80, $4.40 and $3.80. El Bakan paid $8.40 and $7.40 and Truth Of It All returned $9.20.