Kentucky Derby Points on Line in LeComte at Fair Grounds
The Road to the Kentucky Derby takes a stop in New Orleans on Saturday, with a field go nine lining up in the $200,000 LeComte (G3) at one mile and 70 yards on the main track.
The race serves as a prep for the $400,000 Risen Star (G2) on Feb. 22 and the marquee event of the spring meeting at Fair Grounds, the $1 million Louisiana Derby (G2) on March 29.
The LeComte offers up 17 points on the way to the Derby, with 10 points going to the winner. There are 34 points races on the Road to the Kentucky Derby schedule.
ADVERTISEMENT: See the current Kentucky Derby points list and Derby future betting at Bovada.
Currently Havana and Honor Code are tied for first in the 2014 Kentucky Derby Points Standings with 14 points apiece.
The Steve Asmussen trained Gold Hawk is the 3-1 morning line favorite in the LeComte and is undefeated in two career starts. The colt is currently listed at 40-1 in Derby future wagering at Bovada.
Albano will be saddled by trainer Larry Jones and is the 7-2 second choice on the morning line. Currently the well-bred colt is listed at 275-1 in future betting.
Vicar’s in Trouble is listed at 75-1 in Kentucky Derby odds and is coming off a big maiden win for trainer Mike Maker.
Saturday’s card at Fair Grounds is dubbed “Road to the Derby Kickoff Day” with four supporting stakes including the $125,000 Col. E. R. Bradley Handicap (G3).
Here is a look at today’s LeComte:
Fair Grounds Race 9 The LeComte G3 (Post time 4:23 CT)
6 Albano 7-2
4 Gold Hawk 3-1
7 Vicar's in Trouble 9-2
1 Roman Unbridled 8-1
Analysis: Albano stretches out to a route here for the first time for the Larry Jones barn. This colt broke his maiden in his second career start and then came back to win the Sugar Bowl last out to remain perfect in two starts over the main track here. The extra ground here should not pose a problem for this promising colt. He is out of the multiple stakes winner Cocho's Dream Girl ($336,794) who has dropped six winners including stakes winner Mark Valeski ($658,452). Jones has been very live at the meeting, hitting at a 30% clip and knows a little something out handling a Derby hopeful.
Gold Hawk is perfect in two starts and had no trouble handling his first trip around two turns, rolling to a good-looking win against first level allowance foes here. The Steve Asmussen trainee should only get better with added distance. He is by Empire Maker out of the stakes winner Caressing ($955,988) and was a $450,000 purchase.
Vicar's in Trouble was third in his debut over poly at Keeneland and then came back last out to trounce state bred maidens here by 13 lengths and earned the top last out speed fig. Now he stretches out to a route for the first time here for the Mike Maker barn that is 20% winners with runners going from sprint to route. Pedigree wise he seems capable of handling two turns. He is by Into Mischief out of a Vicar mare that was best sprinting but she has dropped one dirt route winner.
Wagering
WIN: #6 to win at 5-2 or better.
EX: 4,6 / 1,4,6,7
TRI: 4,6 / 1,4,6,7 / 1,3,4,6,7
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