The Grade III Lecomte Stakes is a $250,000 race run over one and one-sixteenth miles at Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans, Louisiana. It’s the first prep race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, offering 20-10-6-4-2 qualifying points to the top five finishers.
Top Contenders:
- Built (P#13):
- Trainer: Wayne Catalano
- Jockey: Jareth Loveberry
- Pedigree: Hard Spun – Sea Garden (by Curlin)
- Analysis: Built is the morning line favorite after winning the Gun Runner Stakes at the same distance. He has shown impressive speed and stamina, making him a strong contender2.
- Admiral Dennis (P#3):
- Trainer: Brad Cox
- Jockey: Joel Rosario
- Pedigree: Constitution – Gulf Coast (by Union Rags)
- Analysis: Despite a disappointing performance in the Gun Runner Stakes, Admiral Dennis has potential and could bounce back in this race.
- Disco Time (P#11):
- Trainer: Brad Cox
- Jockey: Florent Geroux
- Pedigree: Not This Time – Disco Chick (by Jump Start)
- Analysis: Disco Time is unbeaten in two starts and has shown versatility in running styles. He’s a strong contender with a high ceiling3.
- Magnitude (P#4):
- Trainer: Steve Asmussen
- Jockey: Jose Ortiz
- Pedigree: Not This Time – Rockadelic (by Bernardini)
- Analysis: Magnitude has shown improvement in recent races and could be a factor if he continues to progress.
- Innovator (P#1):
- Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas
- Jockey: Jaime Torres
- Pedigree: Authentic – Inspired (by Unbridled’s Song)
- Analysis: Innovator has shown speed and consistency, leading from start to finish in recent races. He’s a strong contender if he can handle the stretch out in distance4.
Other Notable Horses:
- Maximum Promise (P#2): Has shown potential but needs to prove himself after a long layoff.
- Golden Afternoon (P#6): Making his dirt debut after success on turf.
- Optical (P#5): Has shown promise in allowance company but faces a tougher challenge here.
Race Strategy:
- Innovator is likely to set the pace from the rail, which could give him an advantage if he can maintain his speed.
- Built and Admiral Dennis will be looking to stay close to the front and make a move in the stretch.
- Disco Time and Magnitude will need to find a good position early and conserve energy for a strong finish.
Conclusion:
The Lecomte Stakes is shaping up to be a competitive race with several strong contenders. Built and Innovator are the top picks, but horses like Admiral Dennis and Disco Time could surprise if they step up their game. It will be interesting to see how the race unfolds and which horse will come out on top.
