Road To The Kentucky Derby – Lecomte Stakes Preview

Lecomte Stakes is first of three Road to the Kentucky Derby Prep Series Races at the Fair Grounds

The January prep races on the Road to the Kentucky Derby have not been strong races in years, but the Grade 3 Lecomte Stakes has been the most productive in turning out starters for the Kentucky Derby with 13 runners in the past 11 years. In fact, last year’s impressive 3 ¾ length Lecomte winner Instilled Regard beat a deep field and then went on to a fast-closing 4th place finish in the Kentucky Derby at 85-1 odds.

Saturday’s $200,000 Lecomte Stakes at the Fair Grounds presents an intriguing lineup on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. It also will be run on a wet and heavy track with 100% chance of rainfall in the forecast. The top-4 finishers from a full field of 15 runners will earn 10-4-2-1 points towards qualifying for the Derby. The 1 mile and 70 yard race has no clear favorite with leading contender Plus Que Parfait (9-2) the morning line favorite. The other expected contender was Breeders’ Cup Juvenile 4th place finisher Mr. Money (5-1), but he was scratched Friday due to sickness following his early morning gallop.

The other leading contenders include Tackett (6-1) breaking from post 3, and War of Will (6-1) in post 8, one of two entries for trainer Mark Casse. Trainer Steve Asmussen also has two entries in the Lecomte including his best chance with Tight Ten (8-1) in gate No. 11.

Tackett has won two straight since coming to the Fair Grounds in November and has been working well for his stakes debut.

War of Will has turf pedigree and finished 5th in the Breeders’ Cup Turf. He also finished 2nd and 4th in two other turf stakes races last fall. However, in his dirt debut in November, War of Will (by War Front) won impressively by five lengths over a sloppy track to break his maiden and now makes his sixth start. He has four strong works over the Fair Grounds track leading up to this Derby prep. Must add to win wagers and exotics.

Tight Ten had a troubled trip in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, but before that, he was first or second in three starts. He could be part of the early brisk pace.

If you’re looking for a longshot to consider adding to your wagers, then Roiland (12-1) could be a closer coming late. He finished 5th with a late rally in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs in November in the same race Plus Que Parfait finished second. Roiland adds blinkers and also had a bullet work for local trainer Tom Amoss on Jan. 5 as best of 77 runners at five furlongs.

The Lecomte Stakes sets up to have heavy pressure up front, and a closing or off the pace type that can navigate traffic should have a shot to hit the board or win.

That makes an improving Plus Que Parfait won to watch and wager on as he came from 11th at the half-mile pole in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) to finish a fast-closing 2nd by a neck.

The Lecomte Stakes is Race 12 at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans on Saturday, Jan. 19 with post time at 6:49 ET.

Edited Jan. 20 – War of Will (8-5) wins Lecomte to return $5.20.

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