Lecomte Stakes

Note: Date, Track and Qualifying Points are based on the Road to the 2021 Kentucky Derby schedule

When:  January 16, 2021

Where:  The Fair Grounds (New Orleans, LA)

Purse: $200,000

Race Distance: 1 1/16 mile

History:  The Lecomte now serves as the first leg of the Fair Grounds’ series of Kentucky Derby preps, but this wasn’t always the case. The race was first run in 1943 and was open to older horses for nearly two decades before it became restricted to just 3-year-olds in 1962. It still struggled to gain notoriety for many years, but its long journey to Derby relevance culminated in 2002, when War Emblem won the Derby after finishing fifth in the Lecomte. Though War Emblem remains the only Lecomte runner to go on to win the Derby, the race has produced two Preakness winners in recent years, Oxbow, who won the Lecomte in 2013, and War of Will, who prevailed in 2019.

Qualifying points:  10-4-2-1 

Winners since 2000:

Year - Winner

2020 - Enforceable
2019 - War of Will
2018 - Instilled Regard
2017 - Guest Suite
2016 - Mo Tom
2015 - International Star
2014 - Vicar's In Trouble
2013 - Oxbow
2012 - Mr. Bowling
2011 - Wilkinson
2010 - Ron the Greek
2009 - Friesan Fire
2008 - Z Fortune
2007 - Hard Spun
2006 - no race
2005 - Storm Surge
2004 - Fire Slam
2003 - Saintly Look
2002 - Easyfromthegitgo
2001 - Sam Lord's Castle
2000 - Noble Ruler

Odds & Entries for the next race will appear here once available...