A gate scratch in the 2020 edition of the Grade 1 Alfred G. Vanderbilt, Lexitonian's best showings since then were his two second-place finishes in the Grade 1 Bing Crosby last August and the 2021 Churchill Downs on Derby Day. In the 2021 G1 Vanderbilt, though, he played giant killer, taking the lead early and besting a dueling Special Reserve in the stretch to get the first Grade 1 victory of his career at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
Ridden by Jose Lezcano, Lexitonian, carrying six fewer pounds than favorite Mischevious Alex, broke well, taking the lead in the race's opening furlong, with Strike Power and Special Reserve a half-length behind. He maintained the lead into the six-furlong G1 Vanderbilt's only turn, but Joel Rosario on Special Reserve stayed with him, grabbing the lead on the final turn. Going into the stretch, Lezcano did not let Special Reserve get too far ahead, as Lexitonian dug in and passed him in the race's waning yards. Whitmore, seventh early, was able to move up on the rail in the stretch to finish third. Montauk Traffic, Firenze Fire, Strike Power, Three Technique, Mischevious Alex, and Miles Ahead rounded out the order of finish.
The final time for the six furlongs was 1:09.35. Lexitonian paid $70.00, $21.20, and $10.40. Special Reserve paid $5.20 and $3.70. Whitmore paid $4.00 to show.
“I said to Jose [Lezcano] he's a horse who fights. Please get him out of the gate and engage him early. I believe if you engage him early, he will feel the pressure and respond to that. 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 happened. He stuck his head out in front today,” Calumet trainer Jack Sisterson said after the race.
“This horse is a very good horse. He tries hard all the time. He's the type of horse that needs to be involved and sometimes he doesn't break all that well and has to stay in the back. He broke well today,” Lezcano said after his win on Lexitonian. “Joel [aboard No. 9, Special Reserve] tried to get away from me, but when I dropped my hands, he took off again and won the race.”
Bred and owned by Calumet Farm, Lexitonian is 5-year-old horse by Speightstown out of Riviera Romper, by Tapit. The G1 Vanderbilt victory brings Lexitonian to five wins in 19 starts, for career winnings of $687.682.
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