Meet the Contenders: 2025 Lecomte Stakes
Built winning the Gun Runner S. at Fair Grounds (Photo by Hodges Photography/Lou Hodges Jr.)
January 14th, 2025
Meet the horses running in the 2024 Lecomte S. (G3) at Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential. The star rating of 1 to 5 represents opportunity to perform well. Be sure to follow these contenders by adding them to your Stable Alerts.
Disco Time wins at Churchill Downs (Photo by Caody Media)
#1 Innovator *
Pro: Recent graduate a gallant second to Barnes three back.
Con: Speedball seems ill-suited to maintain momentum going two turns.
Maximum Promise wins at Ellis Park. (Photo by Coady Media)
#2 Maximum Promise ***
Pro: Won as he pleased when last seen at Ellis for Derby-winning connections.
Con: Lengthy layoff and lack of experience against winners the drawbacks.
#1 Maximum Promise dominates in the opener at @ellisparkracing with blinkers added for trainer @kennymcpeek with @b_hernandezjr aboard! 💪
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) August 3, 2024
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/BBe6o2rcxF
Admiral Dennis wins at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)
#3 Admiral Dennis ***
Pro: Likely better than Gun Runner S. effort would suggest, given his early stumble.
Con: Notable that Luis Saez lands elsewhere despite an excuse-filled trip.
2yo Admiral Dennis is bred by @WinStarFarm and owned by @Albaughstables, who has owned or co-owned half a dozen #KYDerby starters, including 2023 3rd-place finisher Angel of Empire.
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) November 11, 2024
Learn more in @J_Keelerman 's KY Derby maiden watch:👇 https://t.co/S7DQbDvTbL pic.twitter.com/zfaKFVhmhZ
Magnitude wins at Ellis Park (Photo by Coady Media)
#4 Magnitude ***
Pro: Second best to Built in Gun Runner S. after pressing rival’s slow pace.
Con: Speed figures a bit stagnant since mid-summer maiden win.
Magnitude drops in class and scores in R6 at @churchilldowns for trainer Steve Asmussen with Erik Asmussen in the saddle! 🏆
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) November 17, 2024
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/iEDqNRbLGS
Optical wins at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Media)
#5 Optical *
Pro: Has gotten more consistent after starting his career a bit slow.
Con: Lacks much in the way of back class and barn has been cool this meet.
#9 Optical dominates in R9 at @churchilldowns at 6/1 under @james_d_graham for trainer Keith Desormeaux! 👀💪
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) September 18, 2024
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/Muw0qZtqDT
TwinSpires
#6 Golden Afternoon ****
Pro: G2-placed gelding’s form is hard to knock so far; can handle distance.
Con: Hasn’t yet raced over the dirt after three tries on the grass.
#5 Golden Afternoon is a debut winner in R1 at Kentucky Downs for trainer Carlo Vaccarezza with @iradortiz aboard! 🌞
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) September 8, 2024
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/f1EKBTDeek
Calling Card wins at Aqueduct. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)
#7 Calling Card **
Pro: Earned big speed figure two back in maiden score, albeit against NY-breds.
Con: Distant third in first try outside restricted ranks so must quicken.
TwinSpires
#8 Tough Catch ***
Pro: Sugar Bowl S. winner has hit exacta in four of five starts.
Con: Worst effort was only one to date beyond 6 1/2 furlongs.
#4 Tough Catch ($2.80) prevails in the 75th running of the Sugar Bowl Stakes @fairgroundsnola under jockey @luissaezpty for trainer @DallasStewart3. pic.twitter.com/whKCRpr8Lf
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) December 21, 2024
Dapper Moon wins at Saratoga (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
#9 Dapper Moon **
Pro: Snapped losing skid in LA-bred allowance but by a narrow margin.
Con: Somewhat exposed at this level with a string of fourths in other Derby preps.
#4 Dapper Moon open up in the end to win R8 at Saratoga under @RSantana_jr for trainer @dallasstewart3! 🌙
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) August 31, 2024
Another top pick winner for handicapper @atthetrack7, this time at 4/1! 💰 pic.twitter.com/WckmHDdNRB
TwinSpires
#10 Mobetterthangood **
Pro: Won lone start at Saratoga last summer and should get adequate pace here.
Con: Beat only an auction maiden field at the Spa and his layoff a concern.
Disco Time wins at Churchill Downs (Photo by Caody Media)
#11 Disco Time ****
Pro: Passed maiden and allowance conditions impressively at Churchill.
Con: Likely sees added pressure here and probably will be overbet.
🕺 The undefeated Disco Time looks to take a step forward in next Saturday's G3 Lecomte S. on the Road to the @KentuckyDerby! pic.twitter.com/KGfmD9RP2r
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) January 12, 2025
Jolly Samurai wins the Kip Deville S. (Photo by Dustin Orona/Remington Park)
#12 Jolly Samurai **
Pro: Multiple stakes winner prior to suffering his first loss in Springboard Mile.
Con: No major excuse at Remington and faces a deeper cast this time.
Built winning the Gun Runner S. at Fair Grounds (Photo by Hodges Photography/Lou Hodges Jr.)
#13 Built *****
Pro: Romping winner of the Gun Runner last month a deserving favorite.
Con: Received easy front-end trip in that stakes and lot of other speed signed on here.
#1 Built romps and earns 10 @KentuckyDerby points winning the 4th running of the Gun Runner Stakes @fairgroundsnola for trainer @CATRacingStable and ridden to victory by @jareth16. pic.twitter.com/V7OukZ6EDx
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) December 21, 2024
TwinSpires
#14 Seattle Road *
Pro: Last-out maiden winner much improved since adding blinkers two back.
Con: Faces steep class hike and drew poorly in this big field.
