It might be early to think about the Kentucky Derby, but the future winner starts in Saturday’s Lecomte Stakes at Fair Grounds.
The field of eight runs for the $200,000 prize, and considering the likes of Epicenter and Cyberknife have won here, it’s an excellent form guide.
Horse racing odds have framed an even field and it’s a wide-open contest.
Let’s check the latest Horse Racing news, stats, injury reports, and Horse Racing lines for Kentucky Derby. We’ve got plenty of Horse Racing picks for you to consider.
Instant Coffee Rising Through the Grades
Trainer Brad Cox has yet to win the Lecomte Stakes but he has the best chance with Instant Coffee.
The 3-year-old colt by Bolt D’oro won on debut at Saratoga before finishing fourth in the Grade I Breeders’ Futurity behind Forte. It was a solid run and his bounce-back effort was a win in the Grade II Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes.
The form out of that race should hold up nicely and Cox is confident of a big run.
“He ran okay at Keeneland, young horse, the first time two turns, second race of his life – that’s a lot to ask,” Cox said. “He got a lot out of it, and I think he moved forward into the KJC. He’s not a big horse. He’s good-going and a good mover. He’s a good, steady workhorse – doesn’t blow your doors off. Working against good horses, he’s held his own.”
He’s one of the more progressive types in the field and betting online markets have him at 5/2, which is a fair price.
- Pick: Instant Coffee 5/2
Confidence Game has Experience Edge
Bettors shouldn’t overlook Confidence Game, who has five runs under his belt and has won twice.
The Keith Desormeaux-trained runner comes off a win at Churchill Downs and Desormeaux is no stranger to upsetting the favorites. He won in 2022 with Call Me Midnight when beating Epicenter, so he knows what it takes to win the Lecomte Stakes.
Confidence Game’s rating improved to 91 with the win and he could go from strength to strength.
“He finally ran to the level we always thought he could,” Desormeaux said.“He put on weight, he’s grown, and seems really good mentally. He seems to really like the Fair Grounds. We’re all very excited. It’s hard to temper your enthusiasm.”
The sportsbook has Confidence Game at 8/1 and that’s a value price. We’re not picking him above Instant Coffee, but he offers bettors each-way odds.
- Pick: Confidence Game 8/1
Two Phil’s Eyes Consecutive Wins
Two Phil’s won the Street Sense at Churchill Downs last start and that form is good enough to win the Lecomte Stakes.
He didn’t face an overly tough field and it followed a seventh in the Breeders’ Futurity, but he could turn the tables on them.
The son of Hard Spun owns three wins from five starts, so he knows where the line is and he’s another runner with plenty of scopes.
He needs only a good run in transit to figure in the finish and the 4/1 odds with horse racing betting markets suggest that he shouldn’t be left out.
- Pick: Two Phil’s 4/1
