The Kentucky Derby prep season concludes on Saturday when the starting gate opens in the 2026 Lexington Stakes at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky. The winner of the race will receive 20 Derby qualifying points, but none of the 11 horses in the Lexington Stakes field would be in position to make the starting gate for the first leg of the Triple Crown, even with a win. The Lexington is more likely to produce a starter for the Preakness Stakes on May 16. For Saturday, trainer Brad Cox will send out the top two favorites on the morning line: Ezum (2-1) and Confessional (7-2). Corona de Oro (6-1) and The Hell We Did (8-1) round out the top four choices in the 2026 Lexington Stakes field. Post time for the Lexington Stakes 2026 is 5:48 p.m. ET.
Before locking in any 2026 Lexington Stakes bets, you NEED to see what longtime horse racing guru Jeff Hochman has to say.
Hochman has shown a profit in 22 of the past 39 Triple Crown races. One example of his best picks was Big Brown in the 2008 Kentucky Derby at odds of 2-1. More recently, he swept the 2022 Triple Crown, capped off by Mo Donegal's easy win in the Belmont Stakes. In 2023, he cashed the Preakness with National Treasure. In 2024, he successfully tabbed Straight No Chaser to win, place and show in the Grade 2 Santa Anita Sprint Championship at odds of 3-2.
Hochman delivered exceptional handicapping results during the summer 2025 racing season at two of the country's premier tracks, Saratoga and Del Mar. His combined 65.7% win rate across the two tracks represents elite-level performance that significantly exceeds industry benchmarks for professional handicappers. Join here to see what he's picking for Saturday's Lexington Stakes.
While a slew of horses could hit the board in the 2026 Lexington Stakes, Hochman has studied the field and revealed his picks.
One surprise: Hochman's top pick is not Ezum, even though he is the 2-1 morning-line favorite. "His inconsistency and wide post position make him a risky win bet at short odds," Hochman says. He prefers two horses over Ezum.
Instead, Hochman's top pick is an "improving horse who offers solid value." He also is high on a double-digit longshot with a "red-hot trainer and jockey."
You ABSOLUTELY NEED to see which horses they are before making any 2026 Lexington Stakes picks of your own.
So which horse wins the 2026 Lexington Stakes? Which double-digit longshot is a must-back? And how has Hochman constructed his wagers? ... Join SportsLine now to get Jeff Hochman's 2026 Lexington Stakes picks, all from the expert who was red-hot at Saratoga and Del Mar last summer!
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