Pletcher Is Double-Barreled in Lexington

One week after a one-two finish in the Blue Grass S. (G1) with Monba (Maria's Mon) and Cowboy Cal (Giant's Causeway), trainer Todd Pletcher will send out another dangerous duo in ATONED (Repent) and BEHINDATTHEBAR (Forest Wildcat) in Saturday's $325,000 Lexington S. (G2) at Keeneland. Both colts could earn a spot in the Kentucky Derby (G1) with a strong showing on Saturday.

Behindatthebar, fifth in the El Camino Real Derby (G3) when making his stakes and dirt debut two starts back, will enter the 1 1/16-mile Lexington off a four-length allowance romp at Santa Anita on April 3. With a 3-2-1-0 mark at Santa Anita, Pletcher noted the colt's affinity for a synthetic track, but Behindatthebear has raced only on Cushion Track so far. The Lexington will be his first attempt on Polytrack.

"He particularly liked the track at Santa Anita, so we'll be interested to see how he handles this one," said his four-time reigning Eclipse Award-winning conditioner.

Tampa Bay Derby (G3) runner-up Atoned, last seen finishing fourth in the April 5 Illinois Derby (G2) at Hawthorne, doesn't have enough graded earnings to run in the Kentucky Derby presently, but a first- or second-place finish in the Lexington will likely ensure him a spot in the starting gate at Churchill Downs. He's never run on a synthetic track, but his connections decided to give it a shot following a sharp workout at Keeneland on Sunday. Pletcher said Atoned displayed a "great affinity for the Polytrack surface."

Eight horses are considered probable for the Lexington: Atoned, Behindatthebar, BIG GLEN (Cactus Ridge), RACECAR RHAPSODY (Tale of the Cat), RED SANDY (Yes It's True), SALUTE THE SARGE (Forest Wildcat), SAMBA ROOSTER (Songandaprayer) and TOMCITO (Street Cry [Ire]).