Asmussen enters two in Fair Grounds Derby prep

The first 2019 Kentucky Derby prep race in New Orleans benefits from an overflow field and that it is not being run a day later.

Fifteen freshly turned 3-year-olds are entered Saturday in the $200,000 Grade 3 Lecomte at Fair Grounds. Points will be distributed to the top four finishers on a 10-4-2-1 basis for a possible start in the May 4 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. At a mile and 70 yards, the Lecomte is a preliminary to two more Fair Grounds Derby point races; the Feb. 16 Grade 2 Risen Star (50-20-10-5) and the March 23 Grade 2 Louisiana Derby (100-40-20-10).

The Lecomte (5:49 p.m. post time) is annually an important race but just not the biggest show in town this year.

It's being overshadowed locally by the New Orleans Saints' appearance against the Los Angeles Rams in Sunday's NFC Championship game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The football game is scheduled for 2:05 p.m. on FOX (Resort Channel 8) with the AFC title match, New England at Kansas City, following on CBS (Resort Channel 11).

Nominated for an Eclipse Award as North America's outstanding trainer in 2018, Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen has two horses in the Lecomte, which he has won twice. Tight Ten and Wicked Indeed are both sired by Tapit and race for Winchell Thoroughbreds, which campaigned 2017 Horse of the Year Gun Runner with Asmussen.

Asmussen might have tipped his hand by naming Ricardo Santana Jr., his go-to rider, aboard Tight Ten from post 11. Brian Hernandez Jr. pilots Wicked Indeed from the rail.

Tight Ten had stakes seconds last year to Call Paul in the Grade 2 Saratoga Special going short and to Cairo Cat in the Grade 3 Iroquois around two turns at Churchill Downs. Tight Ten then was off the board in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Nov. 24 at Churchill Downs, after which Asmussen freshened the colt for a winter campaign. Tight Ten has worked six times since Dec. 2, with five straight five-furlong drills at Fair Grounds.

Also with two Lecomte starters is trainer Mark Casse with Tyler Gaffalione aboard War of Will and Jerome Lermyte on Mo Speed from posts eight and nine. West Texas, trained by Bernie Flint, is on the also-eligible list.

Asmussen finished first, second and fourth with five Derby hopefuls in the Springboard Mile last month at Remington Park in Oklahoma City. Other of his horses will be seen at Oaklawn Park, where the trainer is perennial champion and a three-time winner of the Arkansas Derby. Oaklawn's first Derby prep is the $150,000 Smarty Jones at one mile Jan. 25.

Also on Fair Grounds' stakes buffet (six races) Saturday is the $150,000 Silverbulletday for 3-year-old fillies. Liora, trained by Wayne Catalano, comes off a surprise victory over Grade 1 winner Restless Rider in the Grade 2 Golden Rod at Churchill Downs.

Sports on 01/16/2019

Upcoming Events