Date: April 23, 11
Post:
Purse: $300,000
Grade: II
Type:
Distance: 8.5 furlongs
Age: 3 years old
Sex: both
Turf:

Notes
The Lexington Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky. The horses participating have to cover a distance of 8.5 furlongs on the dirt. This Grade III racing event is open to three year old thoroughbred racing horses. It currently offers a purse value of $300,000. It was run as Calumet Purse, an overnight allowance race, from 1973-1983. The Lexington Stakes was renamed in 1984, since 1998 it has been sponsored by Ireland\'s renowned Coolmore Stud. First run in 1936, it was a six furlong race for two-year-olds during Keeneland\'s inaugural meeting. Then, it was a one and one fourth mile overnight handicap for 3-year-olds and up from 1938–1941. A listed race in 1984, it achieved Grade III status in 1986 and was a Grade II event from 1988-2010. The race has been downgraded to Grade III status for 2011. It is now considered, along with the Federico Tesio Stakes, to be the final prep for the Kentucky Derby.