By Dick Downey
Photo by Coady Photography

Divining Rod's feet have improved, and so has he, winning the Coolmore Lexington Stakes in a professional manner.

After breaking from post 1, the son of Tapit saved ground under Julien Leparoux and settled into a competition for second position as Fame and Power set the pace in an honest :24.03 and :47.90. Running with Divining Rod heading into the backstretch were 8-5 post time favorite Donworth and Henry Jones. Midway down the back, Henry Jones began backing away while Fame and Power continued to lead the way. Heading into the far turn, Donworth was in closest pursuit of Fame and Power while the eventual winner was two lengths off the pace with six furlongs run in 1:12.66.

Rounding the turn, Divining Rod held position inside while Fame and Power and Donworth stayed in contention. Leparoux swung out Divining Rod three wide into the stretch, and he quickly surged to the lead. With a furlong left, Divining Rod was a length ahead of Fame and Power, and Donworth was still running.

Divining Rod finished three lengths the best, and Donworth nosed out Fame and Power for the place. They preceded Comfort by a length and three-quarters, with  Henry Jones, Tiznow R J and Quimet far back. The winning time was 1:43.29.

Sent off at 5-2 odds, Divining Rod returned $7.80, $3.60 and $2.40 to bettors.

"He was very professional, very relaxed," Leparoux said after the trophy presentation.

Trainer Arnaud Delacour added, "I am glad he is learning with each start."

Divining Rod finished a close second to Ocean Knight after setting the pace in the Sam F. Davis Stakes. Most recently, Divining Rod was fitted with bar shoes while battling quarter-cracks in the Tampa Bay Derby. After again setting the pace, he finished a well-beaten third to Carpe Diem. In the Lexington, the bar shoes were a thing of the past.

Out of the Catienus mare Precious Kitten, Divining Rod is a homebred belonging to Roy and Gretchen Jackson's Lael Stables.

The win was worth 10 Kentucky Derby points. Divining Rod, a late Triple Crown nominee, now has a total of 20. However, according to Bloodhorse.com, Roy Jackson ruled out a start in the Kentucky Derby.