Enforceable powers home in Lecomte

Jan 19, 2020 Vance Hanson/Brisnet.com

Continuing was has become sort of a family tradition, Enforceable became the fourth graded stakes winner produced by his dam when stylishly taking the $200,000 Lecomte (G3) at Fair Grounds on Saturday night.

The John Oxley-owned gray also earned 10 qualifying points in the Road to the Kentucky Derby series prep, increasing his total to 13 after previously running third in the Breeders' Futurity (G1) and fourth in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) last fall.

Under Julien Leparoux, Enforceable settled in 11th place early in the field of 13, made a wide rally into contention on the far turn, and then a six-wide bid for the lead, which he grabbed well before the eighth pole. The son of Tapit powered to a 1 1/2-length victory at odds of 6-1., paying $15.60 to win.

'On the backside he was just dragging me,' said Leparoux. 'He's a horse I think the more distance the better.'

Silver State finished second by a neck over Mr. Monomoy, with Finnick the Fierce fourth. They earned Derby points of 4-2-1, respectively, with Finnick the Fierce increasing his total to five after running second in the Kentucky Jockey Club. The order of finish was rounded out by 3-1 favorite Scabbard, Shashashakemeup, Excession, Halo Again, Bango, Perfect Star, Jack the Umpire, Sycamore Run, and New Eagle.

Out of multiple Grade 2 winner Justwhistledixie, by Dixie Union, Enforceable is a half-brother to 2013 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) winner New Year's Day. He's a full brother to multiple Grade 2 scorer Mohaymen, who ran fourth in the 2016 Kentucky Derby, and Grade 3 turf winner Kingly.

'He trained beautifully down here. He's starting to fill out and mature,' said David Carroll, assistant to trainer Mark Casse, who confirmed the nine-furlong Risen Star (G2) and 1 3/16-mile Louisiana Derby (G2) later in the Fair Grounds meet were likely targets as Enforceable continues on his road to Louisville.

Bred in Kentucky by Clearsky Farms, Enforceable has compiled a record of 7-2-1-2, $267,150.

(Amanda Hodges Weir/Hodges Photography)