HORSE RACING

• Lecomte Stakes gets things started down on the bayou

  
  

  New Orleans, LA (Sports Network) - The first of three stakes races leading to the Kentucky Derby begins the Fair Grounds trail to the Run for the Roses on Saturday. The $100,000 Lecomte Stakes has attracted 11 three-year-olds.

  Conducted at a distance of one mile and 40 yards, the Lecomte is the first of a three race series that includes the Risen Star Stakes on February 20 and the Louisiana Derby on March 27. Last year Friesan Fire swept the three races and was the post-time Kentucky Derby favorite.

  Trainer Steve Margolis has Sugar Bowl Stakes winner Cool Bullet making his first start of the year in the Lecomte. The chestnut gelding will start from post nine with Brian Hernandez, Jr. set to ride.

  Owned by Winmore LLC, Cool Bullet won the Sugar Bowl Stakes by a head over Big Texas Daddy at odds of 6-1. The gelding has earned $58,880 with two wins in four starts.

  Veteran trainer Bobby Barnett will start Rock Hard on Saturday with jockey Jamie Theriot in the saddle. The pair will break from post 10 for owner Stacey Moak.

  Rock Hard is coming off a third place finish in an allowance race at the Fair Grounds.

  The gelding also has a win and a second place finish in his four starts with $20,650 in earnings.

  Here is the complete field for the Lecomte in post position order: Maximus Ruler, Francisco Torres; Turf Melody, Jose Valdivia, Jr; Worldly, Robby Albarado; Depaul, Shane Sellers; Citrus Kid, Miguel Mena; Callide Valley, CoreyLanerie; B'wanagoldmine, Eddie Martin, Jr; Letsgetitonmon, Shaun Bridgmohan; Cool Bullet, Brian Hernandez, Jr; Rock Hard, Jamie Theriot and Ron the Greek, James Graham.

  01/18 18:57:26 ET