Handicapping the Grade III LeComte Stakes

By Rick Francis —-

The 75th running of the Grade 3 LeComte Stakes highlights Fair Grounds Race Course and Slots “Road to the Derby” Kick-Off Day. A field of fourteen 3-year-olds will fill the starting gate for the one mile/seventy yard test and with Kentucky Derby points on the line it promises to be a contentious affair. Let’s take a look at the starters.

Race 12) GIII LeComte Stakes 3YO 1 Mile 70yds Post Time 5:49 CST

Wicked Indeed (1), Tapit colt had every chance to close the gap last out against OC’s here but lacked a late kick; doesn’t get easier here.

Malpais (2), dominated maiden sprinters here last month; trainer Sharp with a maiden winner last out, 20 percent.

Tackett (3), Limehouse gelding enters having won two straight, both here and at today’s distance; always forwardly placed, they’ll have to catch him.

Mr. Money (4),(SCRATCHED) makes first start since BC Juvenile, where a bobbled start cost him yet he still managed a gutsy fourth; he’s been working bullets here.

Night Ops (5), maiden missed by a half-length in the Churchill slop last out, may face similar surface conditions here.

Hog Creek Hustle (6), got away slow in the Sugar Bowl Stakes to finish third; jock change and impressive work have this one on the don’t overlook list.

Roiland (7), closed nicely to finish fifth in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club back in November, prior three starts all board efforts; first blinkers and speedy works.

War of Will (8), solid Graded Stakes turf player broke his maiden last out over a sloppy Churchill main track and is another who has shown a fondness for the Fair Grounds in the a.m.’s.

Mo Speed (9), stablemate of the aforementioned, rolls in on a 2-race win streak, the last over a very short field here; think this one maybe better suited for the lawn.

Chase the Ghost (10), after missing by a nose sprinting here in late November, Ghostzapper colt stretched and wore down his for to break his maiden; there’s value in this one.

Tight Ten (11), placed in a pair of G2’s last summer at Saratoga and Churchill but failed to follow up on those efforts by blowing his skids in the BC Juvenile finishing well back. Tapit colt will rebound, don’t discount off that try.

Plus Que Parfait (12), came storming home in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club only to miss by a neck; never out of the money in four career starts; looms large.

Manny Wah (13), Sugar Bowl runner-up brings it each time out; owns a tough mile route win at Keeneland but he just seems better suited sprinting for now.

Admire (14), another who took to the slop at Churchill breaking his maiden; with similar conditions likely and veteran jock Albarado staying, he could be trouble.

West Texas (15), AE– a gate-to-wire debut winner over MC here last month; major class test should hew draw in.

There is close to a 100 percent chance of rain called for on Saturday, so be sure to check conditions and scratches; Good Luck.

SELECTIONS: 12, 11, 8, 10

Grade III 1 mile/70yds Dirt $200,000 3yo 5:49 PM (local)
PP Horse Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L

1 Wicked Indeed (KY) Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr. 122 Steven M. Asmussen 12/1
2 Malpais (KY) Adam Beschizza 122 Joe Sharp 12/1
3 Tackett (WV) Joe Bravo 122 Michael Stidham 6/1
4 Mr. Money (KY) Gabriel Saez 122 W. Bret Calhoun 5/1
5 Night Ops (KY) Edgar Morales 122 J. Keith Desormeaux 30/1
6 Hog Creek Hustle (KY) Florent Geroux 122 Vickie L. Foley 12/1
7 Roiland (KY) James Graham 122 Thomas M. Amoss 12/1
8 War of Will (KY) Tyler Gaffalione 122 Mark E. Casse 6/1
9 Mo Speed (KY) Jerome Lermyte 122 Mark E. Casse 20/1
10 Chase the Ghost (KY) Corey J. Lanerie 122 Dallas Stewart 12/1
11 Tight Ten (KY) Ricardo Santana, Jr. 122 Steven M. Asmussen 8/1
12 Plus Que Parfait (KY) Julien R. Leparoux 122 Brendan P. Walsh 9/2
13 Manny Wah (KY) Channing Hill 122 Wayne M. Catalano 10/1
14 Admire (KY Robby Albarado 122 Dale L. Romans 20/1
15 West Texas (KY) Marcelino Pedroza 122 Bernard S. Flint 20/1