“Road to the Derby” Kicks off with Grade 3 Lecomte, Silverbulletday; Full-Card Selections

By Rick Francis —-

The “Road to the Derby” kicks off in earnest at Fair Grounds with the running of the 79th Grade 3 Lecomte Stakes. A field of eight 3-year-olds will head to post in search of Graded Stakes win and valuble Kentucky Derby points; the day’s card will also feature the 31st edtion of the Silverbulletday for sophmore fillies along with the Grade 3 Louisiana for older horses. Full-card selections will follow. Good Luck !

Race 14) 1&1/16thˆ Mile. Lecomte-G3 Lecomte S. Grade III. Purse $200,000 FOR THREE YEAR OLDS 2023 Kentucky Derby POINTS as follows: 20 to the winner, 8 to second, 6 to third, 4 to fourth and 2 to fifth
Post Time: 7:30/( 6:30)/ 5:30/ 4:30

1) Echo Again (Asmussen/Gaffalione); Gun Runner colt has been working well over the Fair Grounds surface since his arrival back in Decembe; second off the layoff for these connections hits next out at nearly 20 percent.

2) Denington (McPeek/Lanerie); nice closing effort to finis third last out in the Smarty Jones at Oaklawn; today’s extra 16th helps this Gun Runner offspring.

3) Bromley (Lobo/Castellano); a bit of concern with him drifting out going six furlongs over Turf Paradise’s synthetic in last; distance here maybe a question.

4) Confidence Game (Desormeaux/Graham); exits a pair of tugh starts, placing at Keeneland and an all-out win at Churchill, both facing top shelf company. Candy Ride colt will threaten the whole way.

5) Tapit’s Conquest (Cox/Geroux); delivered as the race fave last out at Churchill, also against a tough group; trainer Cox could be on his way to starting half of the Derby field.

6) Itzos (Lobo/Hernandez, Jr.); the second from Lobo barn that exits a synthetic start at Turf Paradise; tough angle surface switch with this track.

7) Instant Coffee (Cox/Saez); Grade 2 win last out at Chruchill was impressive; barn is almost 30 percent with a last out winner.

8) Two Phil’s (Rivelli/Loveberry); win in the Grade 3 Street Sense back in October produced the field’s highest last out speed figure. Hard Spun colt has been “shooting” bullets at Hawthorne in prep for this and should be vry interesting on the tote-board.

Selections: 7, 1, 4, 5

Race 12) 1m70yds. Silverbulletday S. PRESENTED BY FASIG-TIPTON. Purse $150,000 FOR FILLIES THREE YEARS OLD
2023 Kentucky Oaks Points as follows: : 10 to the winner, 4 to second, 2 to third and 1 to fourth.
Post Time: 6:30/( 5:30)/ 4:30/ 3:30

1) Norah G (West/Parker); La-breddaughter of Fast Anna is a player here and at the route; faces open company for the first time.

2) Cotton Candy Annie (Hernandez/Murrill); Sharp Azteca filly finished well back here last out facing stakes company for the first time.

3) Hayunevano (David/Pedroza); though she filled out the super last out, Goldencents daughter will be once again a longshot worthy of super shots again.

4) The Alys Look (Cox/Saez); a solid second last out in the Untapable; her third start here makes her a player.

5) Chop Chop (Cox/Geoux); BC Juve Filly favorite makes her first start since that disatrous effort; works shows she’s taking to the surface, don’t ignore for the top spot.

6) Amber Cascade (DeVaux/Cohen); maiden score her last month was one of the best efforts of this group.

7) Forest Chimes (Barkley/Lanerie); debut winner jumps into the deep end of the pool for her second career start and should be included in all exotic plays.

Selections: 5, 1, 4, 7

FULL-CARD SELECTIONS

Race 1) 1, 7, 4, 3
Race 2) 7, 3, 4, 5
Race 3) 9, 3, 1, 2
Race 4) 6, 9, 10, 2
Race 5) 3, 1, 7, 6
Race 6) 9, 8, 4, 3
Race 7) 5, 3, 1, 8
Race 8) 2, 3, 4, 8 +5
Race 9) 6, 2, 3, 1
Race 10) 8, 9, 5, 4
Race 11) 3, 7, 2, 4
Race 12) 5, 1, 4, 7
Race 13) 8, 2, 9 (3+5)
Eace 14) 7, 1, 4, 5