There are a few things worth learning from the Lecomte Stakes that was run at Fair Grounds on Saturday. One of the main things is that Guest Suite can run some. The other thing worth learning from the Lecomte Stakes is that even a broken clock is right twice a day. I happened to tab Guest Suite as the most probable winner.
Guest Suite didn’t do himself any favors in the Lecomte Stakes as he had to make his own luck on the muddy surface. The Neil Howard trainee was sixth of eleven early on and was forced wide early. He showed that learning from the Lecomte Stakes is about being patient and the gelding, under Robby Alvarado, settled and bided his time.
The pace was set by Phat Man, who went the first quarter-mile in :23.42 and was just a head off the lead at the half-mile in :45.67. At that point, Running Mate, who was aggressively ridden from the sound of the bell, lead through three-quarters of a mile in 1:12.19 before running out of gas.
By this time, Guest Suite had the concierge on speed dial, was learning from the Lecomte Stakes that his rivals this day were not all that tough, and was about to order champagne. The runner made the lead at the top of the lane, inched clear inside the furlong marker, and held it together under steady urging. Untrapped completed the exacta and Takeoff did well to run third. Takeoff was part of the speed contingent and he ran the best of the speed horses.
Guest Suite got the Lecomte Stakes distance in 1:43.20 and earned 10 qualifying points toward a berth in the Kentucky Derby.
Albarado was impressed with Guest Suite. He indicated the runner is improving, a smart horse and growing up.
Trainer Howard has an early condition now known as Derby Fever. Howard: “Everyone has the same goals looking ahead after getting started in a race like this. Obviously it was nothing short of great to see that kind of performance. Providing everything went well, we had (focused on this race) after Churchill. It’s hard because you try to give them a little bit of a break. I certainly think that everything is in front of him, but it’s too hard to tell. There are some really good ones out there, not the least of which is Ian’s (Wilkes) horse (McCracken) who is very talented, but I thought this was a good gauge for him because it was a nice bunch of 3-year-olds.”
The winning Beyer Speed Figure of 82 stands up well to the numbers in recent years considering the figure was achieved on an off track that was far from perfect. Mo Tom took the 2016 Lecomte for trainer Tom Amoss in only his fifth career start and he earned a then career-best 87 Beyer. The race may have taken a bit out of him since his only other win of 2016 was a victory in the Ohio Derby.
Trainer Mike Maker won the Lecomte in 2014 and in 2015. In 2014 his student Vicar’s in Trouble got an ideal trip in the Lecomte stakes sitting second early. He asserted himself at the top of the lane and drew away by nearly seven lengths with a 95 Beyer. The runner proved it was no mirage when he won the Louisiana Derby two races later and he was a bit unlucky when he drew the disadvantageous drill in the Kentucky Derby and ran dead last.
In 2015, learning from the Lecomte Stakes was all about Maker’s International Star. The runner shocked the field at 9-1 with an 89 Beyer and appeared to be headed for a huge career. The son of Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus won the Grade 2 Risen Star next and then took the Louisiana Derby with a 96 Beyer. Unfortunately, the racer was injured and missed the Kentucky Derby.
Those fans that are truly learning from the Lecomte Stakes will find out that Guest Suite is bred to be a star. His winning dam is a sibling to Horn Buckle, that won 17 times. Go deep in this pedigree and researchers will find A.P. Indy, who won the Breeders’ Cup Classic and Belmont Stakes.
For what is next for Guest Suite, options abound. The Risen Star is a logical move forward before the Louisiana Derby.
