Tipsheet: 2024 Lecomte Stakes

A compact cast of six sophomores will vie in Saturday’s $200,000 Lecomte S. (G3) at Fair Grounds. The top five finishers will earn qualifying points on a 20-10-6-4-2 basis in the 2024 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series event. 

Lecomte Stakes Picks

• #7 Track Phantom
• #2 Nash
• #5 Ethan Energy

Lecomte Stakes Wagers

• $30 win 7 Track Phantom
• $10 exacta 7 with 5
• $2 superfecta 2,7 with 2,7 with 4,5,6 with 4,5,6

Lecomte Stakes Contenders

[SCRATCHED] #1 NEXT LEVEL (30-1): One of two in the field for conditioner Keith Desormeaux, the son of young sire Vino Rosso graduated on the surface two back prior to stopping early in the Gun Runners S. locally last time out. The bay colt is better than he showed in his latest run, but he is hard to back despite drawing the rail in this spot. David Cohen will ride. 

#2 NASH (5-2): Exciting prospect finished a nice third in his stakes bow in the Gun Runner and could turn the tables in this one with expected improvement. The Godolphin homebred decimated his foes with a huge maiden score at Churchill Downs two back, and the colt might be the one to catch if sent from the opening bell beneath Florent Geroux. 

#3 TIZZY INDY (30-1): Former claimer has improved this season, but the Desormeaux charge would still be a major surprise against this cast. This dark bay son of Take Charge Indy will be stalking the pace in the early going with James Graham in the silks. 

#4 CAN GROUP (6-1): Wildcard in the field was last seen finishing two lengths shy in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) for trainer Mark Casse. The talented Good Samaritan colt is a Grade 2 winner on the green, and he intrigues moving to the dirt for his seasonal debut. Jareth Loveberry will be in the irons. 

#5 ETHAN ENERGY (4-1): The second of the Brad Cox trio graduated in style in his second career outing and will be a factor with a move forward today. The Uncle Mo sophomore displayed a fine turn of foot in his initial route attempt and has trained forwardly in the interim. The Stonestreet homebred will have Luis Saez in the silks.

#6 LAT LONG (8-1): Consistent McPeek pupil has won or placed in each of his five tries to date, led by a solid maiden victory at Oaklawn Park most recently. The $130,000 son of Liam’s Map will have to get faster to topple this group, but he rates as a logical top-three player with a move in the right direction on Saturday. Brian Hernandez will rally the colt from off the pace. 

#7 TRACK PHANTOM (9-5): Asmussen trainee has improved his Brisnet Speed figure in each lifetime outing to date and comes off of a very good win in the Gun Runner S. while making his local debut. By Quality Road, the $500,000 yearling purchase has excellent early foot combined with a nice turn of foot, and he gets top billing from an ideal post slot. Joel Rosario picks up the mount. 

[SCRATCHED] #8 AWESOME ROAD (8-1): Quality Road colt looked good in a first-out victory at Ellis Park but has been unplaced in a pair of subsequent graded stakes races. This Cox charge comes in fresh with a few nice morning drills in advance of Saturday, and he will challenge for a placing with his best under Axel Concepcion.