Three takeaways from 2024 Lecomte

Jan 23, 2024 James Scully/TwinSpires.com

Point values for the 1 1/16-mile Lecomte (G3) on Jan. 21 increased this year, offered on a 20-10-6-4-2 scale toward a berth in the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 4, and the Road to the Kentucky Derby series will be back at Fair Grounds for the 1 1/8-mile Risen Star (G2) on Feb. 17 and the 1 3/16-mile TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) on March 23.

Here are three takeaways from the Lecomte.

Track Phantom raises profile in dominant win

Track Phantom took it right to favored Nash from the break, establishing a 1 1/2-length advantage after the opening quarter-mile in the 80th running of the Lecomte, and he controlled the action the rest of the way, recording his third straight victory since stretching out to a two-turn distance with a 2 3/4-length decision.

The bay colt has won consecutive Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifiers at Fair Grounds, scoring by a 1 1/4-length margin after prompting fast fractions in the Gun Runner S. on Dec. 23, and Track Phantom kept moving forward off his hard-fought stakes debut. Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen, who picked up fourth Lecomte win, noted his pupil’s progression.

“He’s got a beautiful way of going and I think he’s just going to get better,” Asmussen said. “He’s getting stronger all the time and we’re just excited to be in this position.”

Track Phantom will try to keep ascending in the Risen Star.

#7 Track Phantom takes them gate-to-wire in the G3 Lecomte S. at Fair Grounds under @jrosariojockey for trainer Steve Asmussen! 🏆

It's 20 Kentucky Derby points for the son of Quality Road! 🌹

🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/oJquMo3E4O

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) January 21, 2024

Speed rating dips; pedigree analysis

The pace was modest and the Lecomte did not come back fast, as Track Phantom netted only a 90 Brisnet Speed rating. His numbers had been increasing and I won’t put too much emphasis on a lower figure for a dominant win when two preps remain for the Kentucky Derby.

Track Phantom must run faster against deeper competition in upcoming engagements. I like the turn of foot he’s displayed at Fair Grounds this winter and won’t be surprised to see Track Phantom deliver a significantly faster performance in the Risen Star.

He’s by 19-year-old sire Quality Road, winner of the 2009 Florida Derby (G1) and a top contender for the Kentucky Derby before missing the Triple Crown due to injury. Quality Road produced his first Triple Crown race winner last year, Preakness (G1) scorer National Treasure, and Track Phantom has shown an affinity for two-turn distances.

Track Phantom’s female family is more geared for speed – dam Miss Sunset was an accomplished sprinter, winning nine stakes, including the 2017 Raven Run (G2), from distances of six to seven furlongs – but Track Phantom’s broodmare sire, two-time Kentucky Derby-winning sire Into Mischief, offers encouragement for longer distances.

Decision looms for Rosario

Winner of the 2013 Kentucky Derby aboard Orb, Joel Rosario guided Track Phantom to his maiden win at Churchill Downs and retook the mount in the Lecomte after opting for another Asmussen runner (Risk It) in the Gun Runner.

But Rosario will have to decide whether to stick with Track Phantom in the Risen Star after picking up the mount aboard Hall of Fame on the Lecomte undercard.

A $1.4 million son of Gun Runner for Coolmore, Hall of Fame sensationally broke his maiden by a widening 10 1/4-length margin when stretching out to two turns for his second career start Saturday. Asmussen said he planned to run the chestnut colt back in the Risen Star, and while it will be a difficult class check, Hall of Fame looks extremely promising.