Quintons Gold Rush secured himself a spot in the Kentucky Derby 130 starting gate with a 2 3/4 length victory in the Lexington Stakes (GII) at Keeneland Saturday. With the winner's share of $201,500, he moved into 17th place on the Graded Earnings List, which is used to determine who runs in the Derby if there are more than 20 horses entered.

Coming out of post 10 in a full gate of 14, jockey Jerry Bailey had to secure a good position going into the first turn of the 1 1/16 mile race, or perhaps loose all shot of winning. Quintons Gold Rush did break alertly, and Bailey manuevered him into second, just behind Dashboard Drummer as they entered the backstretch. Meanwhile, the anticipated speed duel with Boomzeeboom and Pomeroy never materialized, as the former was off slow and never got into the race, eventually finishing last.

Back up front, Bailey had Quintons Gold Rush well off the rail as he took the lead midway on the turn. Fire Slam, under Pat Day, began his moved, even wider out than Bailey. Song Of The Sword, who had some trouble on the crowded first turn, came three wide in the lane to move into third. The top three remained in that order to the wire, with Fire Slam taking the place by a neck. Pomeroy managed to hang on to fourth, finished fourth followed by Dashboard Drummer, El Prado Rob, Saratoga County, Totally Platinum, Tiger Heart, Gamblin, Bride's Best Boy, Suave, Race for Glory and Boomzeeboom. The final time was 1:43.82.

As far as Derby possibilities, trainer Steve Asmussen seemed to be leaning in that direction. "He's a tremendously talented horse," said Asmussen, the nation's leading trainer in total wins. "We haven't had him long enough to do much with him. It was our plan to run here and then evaluate our Derby options."

The $5.70-1 fourth betting choice, Quintons Gold Rush paid $13.40, $6 and $4. Fire Slam returned $5.60 and $3.40. Song of the Sword's show price was $3.80. The $2 exacta paid $83.80.

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