The Lecomte Stakes, a Grade 3 race, is an exciting event in the lead-up to the 2025 Kentucky Derby. This race is one of the key opportunities for 3-year-old horses to earn valuable Derby qualifying points. The race will take place at the Fair Grounds racecourse next Saturday, and it’s drawing attention due to the rematch between some top contenders from the Gun Runner Stakes, including the impressive Built. With a full field of 14 horses, the Lecomte promises an action-packed race and offers points toward the 2025 Kentucky Derby.
Key Horses in the Lecomte Stakes
Among the 14 horses racing in the Lecomte Stakes, Built is a clear standout. Built comes into the race after a dominant 6 3/4-length victory in the Gun Runner Stakes, where he earned 10 Kentucky Derby qualifying points. This impressive win, along with a solid Beyer Speed Figure of 92, has made him a fan favorite. He will be ridden by Jareth Loveberry and will start from post 13.
Other Top Contenders
Besides Built, other horses to watch include Magnitude and Admiral Dennis. Magnitude, trained by Steve Asmussen and owned by Winchell Thoroughbreds, finished second in the Gun Runner Stakes. Magnitude will carry José Ortiz in the Lecomte, starting from post 4. Admiral Dennis, the 4-5 favorite in the Gun Runner, had a rough start in that race but is still considered a strong contender. Trained by Brad Cox, Admiral Dennis will be ridden by Joel Rosario and will start from post 3.
These three horses are among the most anticipated in the Lecomte, but the race is full of talented competitors. With each horse looking to earn valuable points for the Kentucky Derby, it’s shaping up to be an exciting race.
What’s at Stake
The Lecomte Stakes offers crucial Kentucky Derby points to the top five finishers, with 20 points for first place, 10 for second, 6 for third, 4 for fourth, and 2 for fifth. This means that the Lecomte can significantly impact the path to the Derby for these young horses. The race will be held on January 13, 2025, with a start time of 6:30 p.m. EST, following the day’s 11 other races.
The Full Field of 14 Horses
Here’s a quick look at the full list of horses entered in the 2025 Lecomte Stakes:
- Innovator – Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas, Jockey: Jaime Torres
- Maximum Promise – Trainer: Kenny McPeek, Jockey: Brian Hernandez, Jr.
- Admiral Dennis – Trainer: Brad Cox, Jockey: Joel Rosario
- Magnitude – Trainer: Steve Asmussen, Jockey: José Ortiz
- Optical – Trainer: Keith Desormeaux, Jockey: James Graham
- Golden Afternoon – Trainer: Nick Vaccarezza, Jockey: Axel Concepcion
- Calling Card – Trainer: Mike Maker, Jockey: Frankie Dettori
- Tough Catch – Trainer: Dallas Stewart, Jockey: Luis Saez
- Dapper Moon – Trainer: Dallas Stewart, Jockey: Edgar Morales
- Mobetterthangood – Trainer: Kenny McPeek, Jockey: Colby Hernandez
- Disco Time – Trainer: Brad Cox, Jockey: Florent Geroux
- Jolly Samurai – Trainer: Danny Pish, Jockey: Rene Diaz
- Built – Trainer: Wayne Catalano, Jockey: Jareth Loveberry
- Seattle Road – Trainer: Tom Amoss, Jockey: Marcelino Pedroza Jr.
With such a wide range of talented horses, fans can expect a thrilling race with plenty of drama and excitement.
The 2025 Lecomte Stakes is shaping up to be a crucial race in the buildup to the Kentucky Derby. With Built leading the way, and other top horses like Magnitude and Admiral Dennis looking to make their mark, the race promises to be full of action. The points earned here could be the difference for many horses as they aim for a spot in the most prestigious race of them all, the Kentucky Derby.
Visit Home