Magdalena Racing's Pure Fun, seeking to secure enough points to get into the May 3 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), is set to challenge males in the April 20 Coolmore Lexington Stakes (gr. III) at Keeneland.
The 3-year-old daughter of Pure Prize most recently finished third as the heavy favorite in the Fathead Bourbonette Oaks (gr. III) March 23 at Turfway Park. The Kentucky Oaks is limited to 14 starters, based on points awarded in designated races. The Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) is limited to 20 starters, also based on a points system.
The winner of the Lexington will be awarded 20 points toward a possible berth in the Derby or, in the case of Pure Fun, the Oaks. Pure Fun has 20 points toward the Oaks that has a current cutoff of 34 points. She would move to number 13 on the Oaks points list with a Lexington win, according to a Keeneland press release.
The current points cutoff for the Derby is 20 points, so the Lexington could still play a role in determining the Derby field.
According to Keeneland, others considered as probable for the Lexington are Cerro, Examen, Hip Four Sixtynine, Johnny Handsome, Pick of the Litter, Title Contender, Where's Dominic, and Winning Cause, none of which have earned any Kentucky Derby points.
