A second unbeaten Kentucky Derby (G1) hopeful could punch his ticket to the first race of the 2006 Triple Crown with a win in the $325,000 Coolmore Lexington Stakes (G2) on Saturday at Keeneland Race Course.

He is Showing Up, a chestnut Strategic Mission colt that will make his stakes debut in the 1 1/16-mile race for three-year-olds. Showing Up and Kentucky Derby contender Barbaro are both owned by Roy and Gretchen Jackson's Lael Stables, which could be one win away from sending two unbeaten colts to Churchill Downs on May 6.

"So far so good. He's done everything we've asked of him," trainer Barclay Tagg said of Showing Up. "We have to win here to make it to the Derby"

Several other contenders in a field of ten may also need a win to secure a spot in the Derby, which is limited to 20 starters based on graded stakes earnings. Among the rivals trying to boost their bankrolls are Gotham Stakes (G3) winner Like Now, Greeley's Legacy, Bear Character, More Than Regal, and Chin High.

Neil Pessin trains Chin High, the winner of the Transylvania Stakes (G3) on April 7.

"We are extremely pleased with the way he's going into the race," Pessin said. "I think he's a little better on the turf than the dirt, but that's what we're going to find out. If he can run with these horses on the dirt that opens up a lot of options for this summer."

Like Now's graded stakes earnings of $120,000 rank the Jules gelding 20th on the Derby list. Like Now exits a neck win in the Gotham, a race on March 18 at Aqueduct in which Greeley's Legacy finished fourth.

Prior to finishing fourth in the Lane's End Stakes (G2) on March 25, More Than Regal earned his first stakes win in the Sportsman's Paradise Stakes at Evangeline Downs on March 4.

"He's been a steady progression. He seems to be getting better," trainer Steve Asmussen said. "We may have taken a small step back in the Lane's End. But he's usually into the race earlier and wasn't on that day. His style should fit Keeneland's surface."

Bear Character finished third in the Rushaway Stakes on March 25 at Turfway Park. James McAleney trains the Dixie Union gelding who won a pair of stakes races in Canada in 2005.