Following Runaway Gun Runner Victory, Built Takes on Full Field in Lecomte

[Wandering Eyes]

Built (Hard Spun), a 6 3/4-length, front-running winner over Magnitude (Not This Time) in the Gun Runner Stakes Dec. 21, has been tabbed as the 3-1 morning-line favorite for Saturday's GIII Lecomte Stakes at Fair Grounds. The Lecomte offers 42 points (20-10-6-4-2) on the road to the GI Kentucky Derby.

The Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners colorbearer was able to dictate the pace through easy fractions of :24 3/5 and :49 1/5 and drew off impressively to earn a field-best 92 Beyer Speed Figure while facing just four rivals that day. Built drew post 13 for the Lecomte, and figures to face a much different pace scenario this time around.

“If it was the Kentucky Derby, we'd be happy with that post,” trainer Wayne Catalano said. “We got a couple of easy breezes in just to keep him happy and get a little air in his lungs. We've got him fit and ready. The horse is training great. Licking his feed tub and training great. We're very happy with him.”

The unbeaten Juddmonte homebred Disco Time (Not This Time) is likely to vie for favoritism after posting a pair of impressive victories at Churchill Downs, including an optional claimer going a one-turn mile Nov. 30. He makes his two-turn debut for trainer Brad Cox.

Golden Afternoon (Goldencents) is an interesting wildcard. He made all three of his previous career starts on turf, including a runner-up finish in last year's GII Castle & Key Bourbon Stakes at Keeneland.

The Lecomte program also prominently features the GIII Louisiana Stakes and Fasig-Tipton Silverbulletday Stakes, which offers 42 qualifying points (20-10-6-4-2) toward the GI Kentucky Oaks.

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