The Lecomte Stakes is Race 12 at The Fairgrounds on Saturday, January 19th.  It is for three year-olds, run at a distance of one mile and seventy yards on the dirt.  It is a Grade 3, with a purse of $200,000 dollars.  The winning horse also earns ten qualifying points towards a spot in the starting gate at this years Kentucky Derby.

There are 14 entrants in what seems to be a wide open race.  Each of the 14 is seeking their first Stakes Race victory.  It should be a good betting race.  As always the Daily Racing Blog is shopping for value, and we think we found some in this race.  Our picks, in order:

#13. MANNY WAH (10-1): The veteran of the field with seven starts and five top-three finishes. He’s fast enough to compete and should be an appealing price.

JOCKEY: Channing Hill;  TRAINER: Wayne Catalano

#8. WAR OF WILL (6-1): Placed 2nd in a Grade 1 on grass before a runaway five-length Win in first start on dirt.  A serious racehorse.

JOCKEY: Tyler Gaffalione;  TRAINER: Mark Casse

#11. TIGHT TEN (8-1): Ran into a ton of trouble in Breeders’ Cup Juvenile dud, but the form from his runner-up finish in the Grade 3 Iroquois Stakes would make him top threat.

JOCKEY: Ricardo Santana Jr;  TRAINER: Steve Asmussen

#14. ADMIRE (20-1): Not sure who he beat in off-the-turf win in last start, but respect trainer Dale Romans with 3-year-olds.  Brutal post position does not help.

JOCKEY: Robby Albarado;  TRAINER: Dale Romans

#6. HOG CREEK HUSTLE (12-1): His first try around two turns was a disaster.  Has run well since in sprints and is training well.  Adds a top rider in Florent Geroux.

JOCKEY: Florent Geroux;  TRAINER: Vickie Foley.

#12. PLUS QUE PARFAIT (9-2): Came from way back for second in Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club after pressing pace in victory in previous start.  Plenty of stamina and improving, but it’s tough for DRB to take a tepid favorite in wide-open race.

JOCKEY: Julian Leparoux;  TRAINER: Brendan Walsh.

So this is how DRB will play this race: We will do a three horse Exacta Box with our top 3 choices- 13-8-11.  We’ll  also bet a Trifecta Key using the 13 on top with the 8-11-14-6-12 underneath.  And we will make Flat Win wagers on the 13-8-11.

This is a race that has potential for some great payouts.  Best of luck and Value to you, regardless of how you play it.