Lecomte

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Saturday's Lecomte S. (G3) is the first of three graded preps at Fair Grounds

for Kentucky Derby (G1) hopefuls, and a competitive-looking field of 11 will

enter the starting gate for the mile-and-40-yard event.

CITRUS KID (Lemon Drop Kid) ships in from Florida for John Terranova off a

bullet half-mile work at Palm Meadows, and we'll give the speedy colt top

billing. After a convincing maiden tally at Delaware Park in his second career

start, the dark bay made short work of his rivals in his stakes debut, winning

the 1 1/16-mile Dover by five lengths. He was transferred to Terranova off that

score and wrapped up his juvenile campaign with a solid third in the

nine-furlong Remsen S. (G2), setting the early pace before surrendering to the

ultra-impressive Buddy's Saint (Saint Liam). There doesn't appear to be any

rivals of that caliber in this field, and the Kentucky-bred looks capable of

dictating the tempo on the front end with his quickness. If somebody else wants

the early advantage, Citrus Kid can sit just off the speed with Miguel Mena

before asserting himself.

MAXIMUS RULER (Roman Ruler) is a dangerous threat from the rail. A

fast-closing, neck third in his career debut at Churchill Downs last fall, he

jumped straight to allowance company to break his maiden under the Twin Spires

in his latest outing, registering a 93 BRIS Speed rating that is very

respectable in this spot. The Clark Hanna runner has been training steadily for

his return, posting a quick six-furlong breeze two works back, and we love the

turn of foot that he's displayed in his first two starts. He'll be rolling late

under Francisco Torres.

WORLDLY (A.P. Indy) is another win contender. After narrowly breaking his

maiden three back, the Paul McGee charge concluded last year with a third in the

Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2). He received a good tightener for this event when

finishing second by a length to the promising Stay Put (Broken Vow) in a

January 3 allowance at Fair Grounds, earning a 102 BRIS Late Pace rating, and

should sit a perfect trip just off the early leaders with Robby Albarado. The

bay could get the jump on the late runners, and it won't be a surprise to see

the improving colt wind up in the winner's circle.

LETSGETITONMOM (Maria's Mon) rallied for third last time against Stay Put and

is eligible to keep improving off that performance for Steve Asmussen. He wasn't

a serious factor in many of his juvenile starts, but the gray always seemed to

put himself in position to challenge and received a career-best 112 BRIS Late

Pace last time. We give him a fine chance to grab part under Shaun Bridgmohan.

TURF MELODY (Maria's Mon) has a two-race win streak in tow, capturing the

Springboard Mile S. at Remington Park most recently, and has won his last three

starts on dirt. His BRIS numbers are a little light and the bay colt will be

tested for class in this spot, but the stalker has proven very honest and could

offer a rally for a minor award. RON THE GREEK (Full Mandate) is poorly drawn on

the far outside. He wasn't a serious factor when finishing fourth against Turf

Melody last time, but the late runner did earn a pair of 108 BRIS Late Pace

ratings when capturing his first two career starts at Hoosier Park and Delta

Downs. He doesn't look fast enough to challenge for the win, but he's got a

strong closing kick and will probably be seriously overlooked in the wagering.

We'll throw him on the bottom of a couple of exotics at long odds.

CALLIDE VALLEY (Indian Charlie) wrapped up last year with a fifth in the

Kentucky Jockey Club and will be equipped with blinkers for his three-year-old

debut. Trainer Eddie Kenneally, who wins at a 19 percent clip with first-time

blinkers, has already shipped in and won a race from his South Florida base, but

Callide Valley may not be fast enough to get the job done in this spot. He raced

close to the pace in his two career wins and looks like a potential forward

factor here with Corey Lanerie, so we can't completely dismiss his chances for

the top three. DEPAUL (Dixieland Band) rolled to a 5 1/4-length maiden win at

Calder in late August but wasn't seen again until January, returning with a dull

effort in the aforementioned allowance versus Stay Put. He needs to improve

significantly off that effort to make his presence felt here.

COOL BULLET (Red Bullet) is bred to handle a route, but he appears

better-suited to shorter distances at this point in his career. We have a ton of

respect for the job Steve Margolis has done this meet and won't be shocked to

see this one outperform our expectations off a good win in the Sugar Bowl S.,

but we'll take a stand against the promising sprinter. B'WANAGOLDMINE (Bwana

Charlie) and ROCK HARD (Menifee) don't look fast enough to make an impact.