Bet On The Lecomte Stakes 2019
As a prep race for the upcoming $1 million Louisiana Derby, also at Fair Grounds Race Course, the Lecomte offers Kentucky Derby points to the top four finishers on a 10-4-2-1 scale.
If you can’t get to the track in person or place a bet at a OTB, you can always wager from home with your online racebook account at Bovada.
The Lecomte on paper looks like a wide-open race that should offer plenty of betting value. Installed as the tepid 9-2 morning line favorite is Plus Que Parfait for trianer Brenden Walsh. He’s been in the money in all four of his lifetime starts, getting his maiden win in his third effort.
Last out he came from way back in the pack to get up for second, beaten just a head, in the (G2) Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs at odds of 15-1.
That race was at 1 1/16 miles and finished in a very slow time after the half-mile mark. The handicapping question is how Plus Que Parfait will fare when faced with pacesetters more likely able to carry their speed a bit further.
Betting Tips
Tight Ten Looking for Redemption
The Lecomte is expected to include two runners that took part in the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile in November, including Tight Ten (8-1 ML odds). After winning his career debut at Churchill, he has three consecutive starts in graded stakes, with a pair of runner-up finishes.
Tight Ten is a speedy front-running colt who was taken completely out of his element in the BC Juvenile when he broke in mid-pack, had to be steadied in traffic and then hit the rail, never really getting into his best stride.
With a clean trip, he could take the Lecomte field wire-to-wire.
Breaking from the #2 spot in the gate, Malpais (12-1 ML odds) showed big improvement speed-wise in his second lifetime start, where he stalked just off a quick early pace and then took over in the stretch to win going away by more than five lenghts.
That win came on the Fair Grounds dirt in mid-December, and if he can handle the stretch out here and continue to move forward from that effort he has a solid chance to get in the money at very lucrative odds.
Mr. Money Has a Shot at the Money
The second horse in the race coming out of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile is Mr. Money (5-1 ML odds), who actually finished ahead of Tight Ten in Juvenile race in fourth place, although well behind the winner.
Prior to that he grabbed his maiden win in his third start at odds of 9-1 racing 1 1/16 miles. He may be one that needs a bit more distance to run his best, but expect him to be coming late and get up for a minor share of the prize money.
The Lecomte Stakes goes Saturday, January 19 from Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans. It’s race #12 of 14 on a big Saturday card, with an expected post time of 5:49 PM Central.
Lecomte Stakes Picks
- 1) #11 – Tight Ten
- 2) #2 – Malpais
- 3) #12 – Plus Que Parfait
- 4) #4 – Mr. Money
Bet Kentucky Derby Prep Races
Check out the recommended online racebooks listed below, and bet the Lecomte Stakes and the entire Kentucky Derby qualifying series right through to the first Saturday in May.
