Last Chance Saloon was a popular name of a type of bar that reflected to customers that this was their final opportunity to imbibe before proceeding and the upcoming Lexington Stakes can be defined as a similar event for those left that have aspirations of a Triple Crown run.

Most of the tickets have been punched to Louisville but although this race has not been one of more defining preps, horse bettors can sometimes find a diamond in the rough in this fray.

The stakes record of 1:41 flat was recorded by Charismatic in 1999 when Keeneland was still a conventional track and, of course, that runner went on to capture the Kentucky Derby.

That D. Wayne Lukas student was coming off a dull 4th in the Santa Anita Derby but he then went on to win two thirds of the Triple Crown and was retired after being vanned off in the Belmont Stakes.

Hansel took the 1991 running, then took the Preakness and Belmont on his way to the Eclipse Award.

Touch Gold won the 1997 Lexington, was not entered in the Kentucky Derby, was troubled in the Preakness, then took the Belmont.

Risen Star was coming to the 1988 Kentucky Derby off a Lexington score but was hung out to dry. He had to settle for winning the Preakness and the Belmont as perhaps the best horse in recent decades not to garner the Triple Crown.

A field of a dozen is in prospect for the $300,000 Grade 2 Coolmore Lexington at a mile and a sixteenth and Square Eddie will take some beating. Freshened since a wide second in the San Rafael at Santa Anita, this guy has solid speed but his best asset could be the fact he doesn't need the lead to win. He's run well fresh and his best race was in the local Futurity when he handled Pioneerof the Nile.

Pitched Perfectly should be on the muscle fresh and will ensure a hot pace. He has been wintering in Hot Springs but got a solid drill under his belt early in the month. Look for the Barclay Tagg runner to try to steal it.

Todd Pletcher will be trying to get some Graded earnings into his trainee Advice but he'll need a complete turn around after a dull Sunland effort.

El Crespo and Conservative figure very close. The former has to prove he can handle the synthetic while the ladder is from a very patient barn and has plenty of upside to him.

His Greatness has come back to earth after beating an entry level group at Oaklawn and he has run nowhere near what his name suggests.

Jeranimo seems to be coming to the race at the right time. He has faced some nice horses in California and could get away on the board.

Expect Masala to have a traffic cop in tow as he had a nightmare trip in I Want Revenge's Gotham score. His only win came in the off going but if the pace is hot enough, this son of Lion Heart could make some serious noise.

The versatile Mythical Power has fired every time and his trainer Bob Baffert has a great idea of what makes him click as he trained his sire Congaree.

Omiscient will be getting the acid test. He has had the lead at the top of the lane in every single start and has drilled super of late.

Everybody loves a parade, but Distorted Humor's son Parade Clown has to hurry. He caved in when it counted last time and he doesn't have the speed to keep up early on.

How is the race likely to unfold? Square Eddie is fresh and will try to steal it but Pitched Perfecly will not allow him to clear and that pair will be pushed by Parade Clown and Mythical Power.

At the top of the lane Square Eddie will be hailing a cab and Jeranimo will be picking them up and laying them down. With 100 yards to go, Jeranimo will open up about a length and hold off Conservative and Masala.

The key to the race may be to isolate Jeranimo in the gimmicks and shot for the stars.

Good luck.