The Lecomte Stakes Tipsheet

A cast of 11 sophomore prospects will travel 1 1/16 miles on the Fair Grounds main strip in Saturday’s $200,000 Lecomte S. (G3) The 2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby event will reward the top-four finishers with qualifying points on a 10-4-2-1 structure towards the Run for the Roses on May 1.

Lecomte Picks

• #10 Mandaloun
• #2 Arabian Prince
• #7 Santa Cruiser
• #4 Proxy

Lecomte Wagers

• $20 Win: 10
• $5 Exacta 10 with 2,4,7
• $1 Trifecta Box 2,4,7,10

Lecomte Contenders

#1 MIDNIGHT BOURBON makes his 3-year-old debut for Asmussen. Tiznow colt capped off his juvenile season with placings in the Champagne (G1) and Iroquois (G3), and he has trained well locally in preparation of his return, as well. Ricardo Santana has the assignment.

#2 ARABIAN PRINCE has improved in each lifetime outing to date for conditioner Dallas Stewart. Mshawish youngster was last seen closing for third in the deep Kentucky Jockey Club (G2), and he could be the one on Saturday with another forward move.

#3 BEEP BEEP was bet down to favoritism at first asking and delivered with a sharp tally at Churchill Downs. Norm Casse pupil would face a tall task on the class rise, but his recent morning drills have been solid, and I expected him to run a big one in his stakes debut. Note that he will reportedly scratch in favor of an undercard allowance though.

#4 PROXY is a neck shy from being unbeaten for Michael Stidham. Godolphin homebred is 2-for-2 at Fair Grounds, and while his wins have come versus lesser, he gives the impression of a prospect who has a high ceiling going forward. Tapit colt will be forwardly placed from the opening bell.

#5 REGULAR GUY broke his maiden on the course in his most recent endeavor. Bernardini colt has posted a pair of good results in succession, but he will need marked improvement to be a factor late against this tough cast.

#6 GAME DAY PLAY proved game late and secured his first black-type tally last time out for Bret Calhoun. Violence gelding will make his route debut on Saturday and shows a pair of bullet morning drills in advance of his two-turn bow. Gabe Saez will be in the silks atop the chestnut.

#7 SANTA CRUISER has improved his Brisnet Speed figures in each career outing to date for Desormeaux. Dialed In 3-year-old won in wire-to-wire fashion at Churchill Downs most recently, and he could be dangerous while forcing the pace from the outset on Saturday. Regular rider James Graham will be in the stirrups.

#8 RED N WILD ships in from Oklahoma where he was third in the Springboard Mile S. last time out. The capable son of Bayern is winless from three stakes attempts to this point, and he lands in a demanding spot in the Lecomte, as well.

#9 MANOR HOUSE led at every call when posting a 12-length debut tally at Laurel Park. Second from the Stidham shedrow didn’t beat much on that day, but the son of Upstart has room to improve and could be almost any kind going forward, too. Adam Beschizza will pilot the wildcard.

#10 MANDALOUN has impressed from a pair of tallies to date for Brad Cox. The son of Into Mischief has a fine turn of foot and the pedigree to thrive going a route of ground. The talented bay colt will have Florent Geroux up for his stakes debut.

#11 DYN O MITE has posted two wins in succession, led by an allowance tally in an off-the-turf contest at Fair Grounds most recently. Goldencents colt is improving, but he will need a major move forward to overcome the outside draw against this bunch. Colby Hernandez inherits the mount.

[download id="62069"]