Kentucky-bred Lexitonian, a Calumet Farm homebred, won a dramatic renewal of the Alfred G. Vanderbilt H. (G1) on July 31 at Saratoga Race Course.
Ridden by Jose Lezcano, Lexitonian flashed good speed from his inside draw and led early. After receiving some pressure from Special Reserve, he relinquished command to that rival in the lane before fighting back to prevail by a half-length at the wire. Lexitonian stopped the clock in 1:09.38 for trainer Jack Sisterson.
With the victory and the $192,500 winner’s share of the purse, Lexitonian increased his lifetime bankroll to $687,682. The 5-year-old chestnut horse is a son of perennial leading sire Speightstown out of the Tapit mare Riviera Romper.
Scratched at the gate in last year’s Vanderbilt, Lexitonian subsequently finished second, beaten by just a nose in last year’s Bing Crosby (G1) at Del Mar. He also owns wins in the 2019 Chick Lang Stakes (G3) and the Concern Stakes.
“He’s a homebred and people don’t see how much work goes into the foals, weanlings, and yearlings,” Jack Sisterson said. “Eddie Kane, the farm manager, puts so much hard work and effort and it’s rewarding for me to give a little bit of success back to them.
“I believe if you engage him early, he will feel the pressure and respond to that,” Sisterson added. “At the half-mile pole, if he comes off the bridle, perfect. That’s him and he will respond. It’s even better if a horse heads him because he’ll fight on again, which is what happened. He stuck his head out in front today.”