“Road to the Kentucky Derby”: Disco Time dances in Lecomte

Ron Correll
Senior columnist
Tracksideview —-

Disco Time dances in Lecomte

TRINITY, Fla. – Disco Time proved that he could go two turns in winning the Grade 3 Lecomte Stakes at Fairgrounds on Jan. 18. A win is a win, but this one was just a short head over Built, the Gun Runner winner.

The son of Not This Time took the overland route coming from the back of a field of 13 to duel with Built in the final eighth of a mile. The winning time was a slow 147.07 for the mile-and-a-sixteenth distance, but it was over a very slopping track.

Built (Hard Spun) may not have liked the track because he was running in spots, but really picked it up coming off the second turn. Trainer Wayne Catalano seemed pleased even with the second-place finish.

Disco Time, trained by Brad Cox, picked up 20 Kentucky Derby points for the win and Built received 10 points.

Since trainer Bob Baffert will be back on the Derby trail this year, here’s a look at what’s in his barn. (Some of this information was provided by Santa Anita Park)

Barnes — The Into Mischief colt is a perfect 2-for-2 for Baffert and owner Zedan Racing Stables. In the seven-furlong San Vicente Jan. 4, Barnes romped by 5½ lengths.

Citizen Bull — He is expected to be named champion 2-year-old of 2024 following wins in both the American Pharoah at Santa Anita and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Del Mar. Baffert recently said the Into Mischief colt will likely make his 3-year-old debut in the Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis going a mile at Santa Anita on Feb. 1.

Gaming — After winning the Del Mar Futurity in September, the Game Winner colt was second in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and third in the Grade 2 Los Alamitos Futurity. He is likely ticketed for the Grade 3 Southwest Stakes on Jan. 25 at Oaklawn Park, according to Baffert.

Getaway Car — He has lost four straight since taking the Best Pal at Del Mar back in August. Most recently, the Curlin colt finished second in the Los Alamitos Futurity.

Madaket Road — The Quality Road colt recently broke his maiden going six furlongs at Santa Anita on Dec. 26. He has had three works since graduation day.

Rodriguez — The Authentic colt was stretched to a mile for his second start Jan. 4 and promptly romped by seven lengths to earn his diploma at Santa Anita.

Romanesque — This colt was beaten 5½ lengths by Barnes in the San Vicente, which was his second start. He is a son of Practical Joke.

San Saba — The Justify colt flashed speed in his debut going six furlongs and then faded to third behind stablemate Madaket Road in a Santa Anita maiden race Dec. 26.

Varney — This is an unraced son of Vekoma and he worked five furlongs from the gate on Jan. 15 in a sharp 59.60 seconds.

Keep watching for the next races out of the following group of colts.

Coal Battle (Coal Front) won both the Springboard Mile at Remington Park and the Smarty Jones at Oaklawn Park. He is trained by Lonnie Briley.

Jonathan’s Way (Vekoma) was second in the Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill Downs following a seventh place in the Juvenile. He is trained by Phil Bauer.

Chancer McPatrick (McKinzie) was sixth in the Juvenile, but came into that race undefeated with wins in the Hopeful at Saratoga and the Champagne at Aqueduct. He’s trained by Chad Brown.

East Avenue (Medaglia d’Oro) was ninth in the Juvenile, but previously won the Breeder’s Futurity at Keeneland. He is trained by Brendan Walsh.

First Resort (Uncle Mo) won the Kentucky Jockey Club. He is trained by Eoin Harty.

Poster (Munnings) is undefeated in three starts and his last win was the Remsem at Aqueduct. Harty is the trainer.

Journalism (Curlin) won the Los Alamitos Derby. He is trained by Michael McCarthy.

Sovereignty (Into Mischief) won the Street Sense in October at Churchill. Bill Mott is the trainer.

Cyclone State (McKinzie) won the Jerome at Aqueduct, but I question how far he wants to go. He is trained by Chad Summers.

Another colt that was impressive finishing second in the Jerome was Omaha Omaha (Audible). He was closing fast and I think he will like going farther.