Tipsheet: 2025 Lecomte Stakes

A huge cast of 14 sophomores will go postward in the $250,000 Lecomte S. (G3) at Fair Grounds on Saturday. The 2025 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series contest will reward the top five finishers with qualifying points on a 20-10-6-4-2 basis. 

Lecomte Stakes Picks

• #13 Built
• #3 Admiral Dennis
• #11 Disco Time
• #7 Calling Card

Lecomte Stakes Wagers

• $10 exacta 13 with 3,6,7
• 50-cent superfecta 3,13 with 3,13 with 7,11 with all 

Lecomte Stakes Contenders

Click on each horse name to add them to your stable. Never miss a race they're a part of again!

#1 INNOVATOR (10-1): Likely pacesetter in the field gets the rail and stretches out for the first time. Authentic colt from the D. Wayne Lukas shedrow graduated in his seventh start most recently and could be dangerous if he clears early on. Jaime Torres will ride. 

#2 MAXIMUM PROMISE (10-1): McPeek pupil showed marked improvement in his second offering with the addition of blinkers when airing by 14 lengths at Ellis Park in August. The son of Maximum Security didn’t beat much in his maiden win, but he is still a nice prospect, nonetheless. Brian Hernandez, Jr. has the assignment. 

#3 ADMIRAL DENNIS (8-1): First from the Brad Cox barn was a well-beaten fourth as the 4-5 favorite in the Gun Runner S. last time but will show big improvement on Saturday. The talented son of Constitution looked the part at Churchill Downs two back and will be in the mix late with something closer to that performance. Joel Rosario inherits the ride.

#4 MAGNITUDE (6-1): Gun Runner S. runner-up has good gate presence as well as nice current form for Asmussen. The $450,000 son of Not This Time has posted two bullet morning drills in advance of this test and will never be far back under Jose Ortiz.

#5 OPTICAL (20-1): City of Light sophomore toppled starter allowance foes most recently and will take a big class rise for Keith Desormeaux. Kentucky-bred was eased in his lone prior stakes effort and will need a lifetime best to make the frame against this group. 

#6 GOLDEN AFTERNOON (20-1): Interesting son of Goldencents has posted a trio of very good runs on the lawn to commence his career and will try the dirt for the initial time on this occasion. The Grade 2-placed gelding will be contending late if he takes to the surface change beneath Concepcion. 

#7 CALLING CARD (12-1): Complexity colt has displayed improvement since moving to the dirt and was an allowance third behind two nice ones at Oaklawn in his most recent showing. Mike Maker pupil has worked well on the course and could grab a share in the stretch with Frankie Dettori taking the reins.

#8 TOUGH CATCH (10-1): Dallas Stewart charge has been first or second in four of his five lifetime races in advance of Saturday. He captured the Sugar Bowl S. on the strip in his latest appearance, and if he can navigate two turns effectively, then the gray rates as a top-three player with Luis Saez in the stirrups.

#9 DAPPER MOON (12-1): Second for Stewart has finished fourth in each of his three route and stakes attempts in preparation of this endeavor and would be a minor surprise to me. The Malibu Moon colt will be forwardly placed throughout with Edgar Morales in the controls.

#10 MOBETTERTHANGOOD (20-1): Intriguing McPeek pupil rallied from off the pace to defeat Empire State-bred runners at Saratoga in the summer and lands here for his 2025 debut. The son of Mo Town gives the impression of a nice prospect going forward, but this is an ambitious spot for his three-year-old unveiling. Colby Hernandez will be up. 

#11 DISCO TIME (9-2): Unbeaten contender for Brad Cox has been sharp with two comfortable tallies beneath the Twin Spires to begin his career. Juddmonte homebred has recorded a handful of well-spaced drills in anticipation of his black-type bow, and the son of Not This Time might be up to the task with regular pilot Florent Geroux in the silks. 

#12 JOLLY SAMURAI (20-1): Two-time stakes victor ran just evenly in the Springboard Mile S. in his latest venture and faces a deeper cast in this one. The gelded three-year-old will need a hefty leap forward to be in the mix late under Rene Diaz. 

#13 BUILT (3-1): Top pick from the Catalano barn led throughout in a professional tally in the Gun Runner S. on the surface and gets the nod to move his overall win streak to three. Hard Spun colt is bred to go long, and I believe that he will not need the lead in order to succeed against this crew. Jareth Loveberry retains the mount. 

#14 SEATTLE ROAD (20-1): One-run closer from the Amoss barn graduated at Fair Grounds in his 2024 finale, but the colt faces much better today and was also assigned an impossible post widest of all in the field. I feel that others are much more likely in the contest.