How to bet the Fair Grounds Stakes on 2019 Road to the Derby Kickoff Day

The $200,000 Lecomte Stakes (G3) is one of six stakes races to be held at Fair Grounds on Saturday as part of the track’s 2019 Road to the Kentucky Derby Kickoff Day. Talented runners and competitive races await us on a fine betting card at the New Orleans, Louisiana, venue. I have opinions on live runners for each of the black-type events. FREE Brisnet.com PPs for the Lecomte! Lecomte (G3) I had money on War of Will (#8) (6-1) in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) as a maiden and I still believe that he is a serious colt with a bright future. The well-bred son of War Front aced his dirt debut with an authoritative score at Churchill Downs and has trained swiftly in the interim. It’s also a boost of confidence that jockey Tyler Gaffalione comes out to ride the Mark Casse pupil, bypassing Sunshine Millions mounts in the process. Silverbulletday Seven sophomore fillies will vie in the Road to the Kentucky Oaks affair. Brendan Walsh’s Grandaria (#2) (9-2) has rolled home an open-length winner in two straight and takes the next logical step in this one. The Curlin filly showed an affinity for Fair Grounds’ oval with a facile allowance/optional claiming win in advance of her stakes debut here. The $170,000 yearling purchase draws well and will likely have a contested pace to run at in the stretch. Colonel E. R. Bradley Great Wide Open (#8) (2-1) is on a fine run of form entering this assignment. The Conor Murphy charge proved that his runner-up finish in the Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) was no fluke, as the gelding has romped in two straight since on this course. The seven-year-old gets a fine post slot and is adept at handling any kind of turf. James Graham will ride the formidable favorite. Marie G. Krantz Memorial Ten fillies and mares will travel 1 1/16 miles on the lawn in a good betting race. I like a few price horses in the field and will settle on Mark Casse’s Hanalei Moon (#4) (8-1). The four-year-old Malibu Moon filly is three-for-five on the lawn overall and comes in off a sharp allowance/optional claiming win over this course. The late runner will get solid fractions to rally into this one at a square price. Louisiana I acknowledge that Grade 2 victor Honorable Duty (#7) (5-2) is the one to beat sporting a perfect mark from three tries at Fair Grounds, but I think Phat Man (#3) (5-1) has upset potential for conditioner Joe Sharp. The five-year-old Munnings gelding has versatility and form, coming in with a solid prep second in the Tenacious Handicap last out. The chestnut has impressed with two nice efforts since removing blinkers, too. Duncan F. Kenner This six-furlong sprint goes through Wynn Time (#6) (3-5) for conditioner Hugh Robertson. The Three Hour Nap gelding has superb form while donning a 5-4-1-0 mark at Fair Grounds. The bay draws outside and will have a dream trip throughout beneath jockey Marcelino Pedroza. Grade 3 hero Colonelsdarktemper (#5) (6-1) has fine early speed in a field lacking true pace, and he will give the heavy favorite his sternest test. The speedy sort cuts back in distance here and I really liked his even fourth-place showing two prior in the Thanksgiving Handicap. I envision the duo to run one-two around the oval from the start. An exacta box is the play.