A brand new section of the highway to the Kentucky Derby introduced by Woodford Reserve begins Saturday, with the highest prize for profitable the prep race leaping to twenty qualifying factors. The LeConte Stakes on the Fairgrounds options 20-10-6-4-2 factors for the highest 5 horses within the Grade 3 stakes in descending order. Beforehand at 10-5-3-2-1 factors, the mix of 42 qualifying factors and a $250,000 purse allowed them to draw an 11-man discipline to New Orleans earlier than Mardi Gras.
1. high quality mischief (Morning line odds are 10-1): Within the Gun Runner Stakes throughout the course, he completed 4th with a one-length distinction. In rail journey, he’ll turn out to be a serious participant if he continues to enhance.
Jockey: Marcelino Pedrosa; coach: brad cox
2. carson avenue (8-1): Working for the primary time on fairgrounds, he received the off-turf race by 11 1/4 lengths. Though it was within the mud, he by no means completed worse than third within the 4 video games he began his profession towards good competitors. It belongs to unique.
Jockey: Axel Concepcion. coach: brendan walsh
3. Crown the buckeye (4-1): He thinks he has the lead and can be capable to hold on till the tip at a practical tempo. This monitor gave the tempo to Gun Runner at this distance, shedding him by lower than a size and ending in third place. It additionally deserves shut consideration from Michigan followers.
Jockey: Ricardo Santana Jr.; coach: microphone maker
4. exosome (20-1): He received his first race, a gradual 1 1/16-mile race on the hills at Keeneland. Earlier than that, he misplaced over 30 horse lengths. I will cross.
Jockey: Jareth Loveberry; coach: kelsey danner
5. golden time (8-1): recovered from 10th He received his debut over six furlongs. My time was good and I am near Carlin so it is price contemplating in about two turns. Apparently, jockey Jose Ortiz selected to experience him slightly than Mesquite, one other starter for coach Shelley Devaux.
Jockey: Jose Ortiz; coach: Shelley Deveaux
6. Thunderback (6-1): He secured his first victory with a great time on the course. If he can advance on his first attempt towards the winners, he would be the focal point.
Jockey: Luis Saez. coach: brad cox
7. mesquite (8-1): The second starter coached by DeVoe, he responded positively down the stretch to show two at Churchill Downs in November. It has been working properly since then and is price severe consideration, particularly with Flavien Prat on board.
Jockey: Flavien Prat; coach: Shelley Deveaux
8. white tiger (8-1): His pace numbers dropped a bit as he labored tougher than anticipated to win gate-to-wire in his second begin. With Irado Ortiz Jr. within the saddle, he might be competing in a extremely controversial discipline.
Jockey: Irado Ortiz Jr.; coach: brad cox
9. Ocelli (12-1): I received the maiden after 2 tries, 2nd and third. You’ll be able to’t take him flippantly in a discipline filled with comparatively inexperienced runners. With the addition of blinkers, his pace numbers are on par with the highest contenders.
Jockey: Joseph Ramos. coach: whit beckman
10. cease the automotive (8-1): He’s undefeated in two races, together with his most up-to-date win coming at Allowance Firm. If he can repeat his earlier attempt, he will certainly be within the working.
Jockey: Ben Curtis. coach: brendan walsh
11. chip honcho (9-2): The publish is not nice, however Disco Time beat Lecomte final 12 months from publish 10. Breaking from the rail in a six-horse discipline, he used pace-press techniques to win towards Gun Runner. The important thing query is whether or not jockey Paco Lopez can keep away from an enormous transfer from the skin publish.
Jockey: paco lopez coach: Steve Asmussen
choose: mesquite
Stay lengthy shot: Ocelli
fantastic: 7-11-5-3
