The road to the 142nd Kentucky Derby starts in earnest January 16 at Fair Grounds as the Grade 3, $200,000 Lecomte Stakes represents one of the first point-bearing races of 2016 with the first through fourth place finishers awarded 10, 4, 2 and 1 point respectively in the mile and seventy yard event.
Mo Tom leads the overflow field of 15 as the 7/2 morning line choice for leading Louisiana trainer Tom Amoss. The son of 2010 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Uncle Mo captured two of four races in 2015 and finished third last out in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes November 28 at Churchill Downs. Prior to that start Mo Tom won the Street Sense Stakes; he has not finished worse than third in any start. Jockey Corey Lanerie takes the call breaking from post 7.
Tom’s Ready is the second choice at 5/1, but will need at least one defection to draw in from the also-eligible list. The Dallas Stewart trainee has just 1 win in 6 starts, but was thrown quickly into deep waters last year contesting two graded stakes races.
Dolphus (10/1) is more notable for being a half sibling to racing great Rachel Alexandra, but has shown promise of his own by breaking his maiden at first-asking and returning to run third in an above average allowance race December 18 at Fair Grounds. The Joe Sharp trainee is a son of Lookin’ at Lucky and has the right to improve with more distance and racing experience.
Saturday, January 29 at Gulfstream Park is one of the biggest races of the year: the Pegasus World Cup (G1)! This $3 million race, covering a mile and an eighth on the Gulfstream dirt track, drew a field of nine handicap horses. The eyes of the racing world will be on Gulfstream on Saturday, and you can bet it from the comfort of your own home here in Canada!
The Kentucky Derby trail makes its way to Oklahoma on Friday, December 17 for the Remington Springboard Mile! The race drew a field of nine up-and-coming two-year-olds to go a mile on the main track. The prizes are rich: a $400,000 purse, as well as Road to the Kentucky Derby points (10-4-2-1) for the first four horses across the wire.
The Los Alamitos Futurity (G2), California’s most important Kentucky Derby Prep in December, is coming up on Saturday, December 11! The race features the most promising two-year-olds in California, set to go a mile and a sixteenth over the dirt at Los Alamitos Racecourse. The race offers a purse of $300,000, as well as Road to the Kentucky Derby points, apportioned 10-4-2-1 to the top four finishers.
Let's have a look at the 2021 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf betting picks and predictions.
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