Sophomore colts go down to the Bayou for this traditional Fairgrounds prep. A solid cast of sophomores has entered this first leg of a 3 race series with the next progression the Risen Star and the final prep the Louisiana Derby.
Roman Unbridled was not an early bird nomination for the LeComte being nominated to the race via the LeComte process. This son of Roman Ruler (Ambition Unbridled) Unbridled’s Song won the Big Drama stakes by a widening 8 lengths, this was after disappointing efforts when moved up in the class in the G3 and was defeated by the same rival twice in a row, Rise Up who was peaking in those two efforts. The talent of this colt is somewhere in the middle, not as good as he looked against weaker last race – and figures to be more competitive than he was in the Delta Jackpot. Best races have been near the pace and expect him to be forwardly placed to provide best effort.
Albano is best noted for being a half brother to Mark Valeski, which is important because Mark Valeski ran well down at the Fairgrounds and Albano comes in with back to back wins down in Louisiana and goes for the hat trick in his first stakes race. Albano impressed with a gritty pace contested win on November 24th, putting in a sustained stretch long move against a tough Speightshill. Visually he showed a lot of heart and was challenged but never extended. In the Sugar Bowl stakes, Albano again got the jump on a small field and held sway after a couple of horses challenged on the turn. He is fit has competitive speed figures and has a fluid stride. I don’t see him as being the ultimate distance horse, but he fits class wise and has earned both his wins.
Gold Hawk with the advent of social media the word has spread fast and furious on this this talented son of Empire Maker out of a multiple Stakes winning mare (Caressing) by Honour and Glory. Empire Maker is one of the few “traditional” distance horses with a strong pedigree who developed into a Belmont Stakes winner after placing in the Kentucky Derby. Empire Maker himself was sired by a Kentucky Derby winner Unbridled. On the mare side Caressing was a natural router who won the Breeders Cup Juvenile Filles and also ran in the Acorn and Gazelle stakes competing against the best of her generation. One of the best racing pedigrees of this crop. Win or lose Gold Hawk is the type of horse who has a “classic” pedigree and the most talented Empire Makers take time to develop. He may be a little less precocious but still a large development curve in this frame.
Smarty’s Echo ten years ago Smarty Jones won the Kentucky Derby as an undefeated horse. Smarty’s Echo has a “win early” pedigree by Smarty Jones (Silver Echo) by Eastern Echo and he did just that winning a 1 mile race at Arlington Park on the artificial surfact. His first dirt race was in the Breeders Cup Juvenile and while 35/1 in that race, drew the rail in a 13 horse field, never seemed to get untracked. His race was so bad that I’m not going to blame it on real dirt, something was amiss that day, maybe running 2nd in a monsoon rain storm in the Breeders’ Futurity and then shipping out west and running on 25 days rest resulted in the regression? His recent work patters has been superby and enters with a two five furlong workouts and a bullet 4 furlong workout out of the gate which is interesting because he broke last in his last start and the chart says came out, in his others races says steadied early. This horse is obviously green and a fast gate workout followed by a fast 5 furlong workout means they are trying to get his attention. The price will be right and some interesting angles to consider on this horse.
Vicar’s in Trouble fast son of Into Mischief won by the length of the Fairgrounds stretch in last outing defeating a maiden field by a widening 13 lengths widening at every call. Strong speed figures in both races, does not need to improve to win the LeComte. Into Mischief made headlines last year on the Triple Crown trail with a pair of colts. Vyjack and Goldencents developed early into stakes winners. Vicar’s in Trouble is fast and the Lecomte is a logical spot to see how far he can carry his speed. Rosie has ridden this fast colt in both races and from a pace standpoint does not need the lead but expect him to be close to the pace. Not sure about long term distance potential, but I like the speed and seems to be developing at the same time as Vyjack and Goldencents did last year who both won stakes races in January.
Pace: Vicar’s in Trouble dominated his last race on the front end and overmatched that field, his first race on the polytrack at Keeneland, Albano has been very gritty in last two races and that may push him to the lead in this race soon shortly after the break, the race will be decided by Vicar’s In Trouble if they race as a tandem and get headstrong, they could weaken in the stretch and Smarty’s Echo is capable of picking up the pieces or Gold Hawk. My pace analysis shows Albano leading for half mile, Vicar’s In Trouble making a dramatic move to take the lead and open up the lead and try to hold off the closers.
The Selection: I’m a big Goldencents fan and was also a fan of Into Mischief when he won the Cash Call futurity and was trained by Richard Mandella. Vicar’s In Trouble is the now horse and with all the money coming in on Gold Hawk this may be a chance for a small price, Smarty’s Echo is my 2nd choice, I’m throwing out the last race and like the gate works to correct the starting gate issues. Anne Smith is a solid under the radar trainer.