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Lecomte (GIII)

Fair Grounds • New Orleans, LA, USA 20-10-6-4-2
January 20, 2024

Lecomte Stakes Race History

For a race that carried a mere $40,000 purse as recently as 1996, it’s impressive how quickly the Lecomte Stakes (G3) at Fair Grounds has developed into an important stop on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

The Lecomte pays homage to the equine Lecomte, a New Orleans sensation who received widespread acclaim in 1854 when he ran four miles in the record-shattering time of 7:26.

The rise of Lecomte’s namesake race has been slow but steady. First run in 1943, the race was open to older horses until 1962, when it became an age-restricted test for three-year-olds. Early winners tended to be local stars more than national standouts, and the Lecomte didn’t receive graded stakes status until 2003.

Nevertheless, the Lecomte occasionally produced nationally prominent horses. Future Preakness (G1) runner-up Linkage claimed the Lecomte in 1982. Risen Star used a second-place finish in the 1988 Lecomte as a springboard to victories in the Preakness and Belmont S. (G1). Then in 2002, War Emblem became the first Lecomte starter to claim victory in the Kentucky Derby.

Since achieving graded status, the Lecomte has grown rapidly. Hard Spun (first in 2007) and Golden Soul (second in 2013) kicked off their sophomore seasons in the Lecomte before going on to finish second in the Kentucky Derby. Oxbow (runaway winner in 2013) and War of Will (triumphant in 2019) went on to score victories in the Preakness, while Mandaloun improved on his third-place finish in 2021 to win the Kentucky Derby via disqualification.

During the 2010s, the Lecomte produced 13 Kentucky Derby starters, averaging better than one per year. In 2020, Fair Grounds lengthened the race from 1 mile and 70 yards to 1 1⁄16 miles. With its growing prestige and prominent placement on the Road to the Kentucky Derby (offering 20 qualification points to the winner), you can bet the Lecomte will maintain its steady ascent for the foreseeable future.

By J. Keeler Johnson/TwinSpires.com

Results

Win

Place

Show

7

Track Phantom20

$4.80

$2.40

$2.10

2

Nash10

$2.40

$2.10

6

Lat Long6

$3.40

5

Ethan Energy4

3

Tizzy Indy2

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Entries

Jockey

Owner

Trainer

Current odds

Wagers

1

Next Level

David Cohen

Don't Tell My Wife Stables 2022, LLC

J. Keith Desormeaux

30/1

2

Nash

Florent Geroux

Godolphin, LLC

Brad Cox

5/2

3

Tizzy Indy

James Graham

Calumet Farm

J. Keith Desormeaux

30/1

4

Can Group

Jareth Loveberry

D.J. Stable, LLC and Cash is King, LLC

Mark Casse

6/1

5

Ethan Energy

Luis Saez

Stonestreet Stables, LLC

Brad Cox

4/1

6

Lat Long

Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.

Walking L Thoroughbreds, LLC

Kenny McPeek

8/1

7

Track Phantom

Joel Rosario

L and N Racing, LLC, Clark O. Brewstre, Jerry Caroom and Breeze Easy, LLC

Steve Asmussen

9/5

8

Awesome Road

Axel Concepcion

Albaugh Family Stables, LLC and Donegal Racing

Brad Cox

8/1

Road to the Kentucky Derby

No Upcoming Races.

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