The Road to the Kentucky Derby gets a tad more important Jan. 18 as the Lecomte Stakes (G3) ushers in a slate of preps worth a total of 42 qualifying points. The first five finishers in the two-turn test at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots will receive 20-10-6-4-2 points in descending order. That's a bump from the 10-5-3-2-1 points previously awarded and perhaps a reason why a field of 14 has been entered.
1. Innovator (10-1): Needed seven tries to break his maiden, but does have stakes experience. Figures to show speed from the rail and his best try will be competitive in this field. Looks like a D. Wayne Lukas-trained 3-year-old who has a license to get better.
JOCKEY: Jaime Torres; TRAINER: D. Wayne Lukas
2. Maximum Promise (10-1): Won by a pole in an August maiden race at Ellis Park. Works since then are fine, but he probably will need this race to fire his best shot.
JOCKEY: Brian J. Hernandez Jr.; TRAINER: Ken McPeek
3. Admiral Dennis (8-1): Was a big disappointment as the 4-5 favorite in the Gun Runner Stakes here at Fair Grounds, finishing a distant fourth. Worked OK for a top barn after that flop so he could merit a second chance.
JOCKEY: Joel Rosario; TRAINER: Brad Cox
4. Magnitude (6-1): Chased the pace in the Gun Runner and lost by nearly seven lengths. Did work quickly for this try but will have to take a big step forward after his previous race.
JOCKEY: Jose Ortiz; TRAINER: Steve Asmussen
5. Optical (20-1): Comes off a game starter allowance winner at Churchill Downs and has been working quickly. Speed figures are on the slow side so this will be an acid test for him.
JOCKEY: James Graham; TRAINER: Keith Desormeaux
6. Golden Afternoon (20-1): Hard to read. This will be his first dirt race after three good turf races. Has the pedigree for dirt though his speed figures are nothing special. Could be worth a look based on the odds.
JOCKEY: Axel Concepcion; TRAINER: Nicholas Vaccarezza
7. Calling Card (12-1): Posted a big win two starts back and then bounced off it. If he can return to the level of his maiden win, he'll be a main factor here.
JOCKEY: Frankie Dettori; TRAINER: Mike Maker
8. Tough Catch (10-1): Has been doing great in sprints, but has not been competitive beyond 6 1/2 furlongs. Should be part of the early pace but the distance is a big question mark.
JOCKEY: Luis Saez; TRAINER: Dallas Stewart
9. Dapper Moon (12-1): Was competitive in some of the top 2-year-old stakes, finishing fourth in a trio of two-turn graded stakes. This should tell how much he has advanced at 3. Seems a logical contender.
JOCKEY: Edgar Morales; TRAINER: Dallas Stewart
10. Mobetterthangood (20-1): Was visually impressive winning his Saratoga Race Course sprint debut, but the time came back slow. Not much to go on since he hasn't raced since September, so let the odds determine if there's value. Would think he may need the race.
JOCKEY: Colby Hernandez; TRAINER: Ken McPeek
11. Disco Time (9-2): Lots of eyes will be focused on him. Unbeaten in two starts at Churchill and makes his stakes debut here for an outfit that excels in Triple Crown preps. Will be a main threat with continued improvement.
JOCKEY: Florent Geroux; TRAINER: Brad Cox
12. Jolly Samurai (20-1): Failed to fire while racing wide in the Remington Park Springboard Mile. Faces a similar test here. We'll pass.
JOCKEY: Rene Diaz; TRAINER: Danny Pish
13. Built (3-1): Romped in the Gun Runner here at the same 1 1/16-mile distance. Could bounce off that big effort and the post means he'll have to motor early to avoid getting caught wide. Still, his last try stamps him a main contender.
JOCKEY: Jareth Loveberry; TRAINER: Wayne Catalano
14. Seattle Road (20-1): Late runner posted a narrow maiden win in his fourth try. Time was slow and likely to race wide from this post.
JOCKEY: Marcelino Pedroza Jr.; TRAINER: Tom Amoss
THE PICK: Disco Time
LIVE LONGSHOT: Calling Card
SUPERFECTA: 11-13-1-7
