Gr.3 Lecomte Stakes success for Disco Time

Brad Cox-trained three-year-old colt Disco Time, produced a resolute performance to win the Gr.3 Lecomte Stakes at Fair Grounds on Saturday (18th January). He now has three wins from three runs.

Taken from the Thoroughbred Daily News, 19th January 2025, by Alan Carasso:

Sent off at odds of 9-5 to take his career record to three wins from as many appearances in Saturday's Gr.3 Lecomte Stakes at a sloppy Fair Grounds race course, Disco Time (Not This Time) was hung out to dry somewhere on the banks of the Mississippi turning into the long straight, but he closed resolutely through the final eighth of a mile to earn 20 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

In a bit tight at the break, the homebred was able to get down into the three or four path from his double-digit alley by the time the field reached the first turn and raced in about third- or fourth-last position as the rail-drawn Innovator took them through an opening quarter in :23.68. Racing well out into the track and remaining in the latter third of the field into the final half-mile, Disco Time began to find stride, but was consigned to a wide run around the second turn and he was flushed perhaps as many as 10 paths deep into the
long stretch at the Fair Grounds when Louisiana-bred Dapper Moon bore out into Calling Card. In the meantime, Innovator was still going well at the fence, but Gun Runner Stakes romper Built, who had sat a perfect inside trip close to the pace, was bearing down on him inside the eighth pole as Disco Time continued to plug away on the grandstand side.

The Eclipse runner finally poked his head in front in the dying strides, but Disco Time managed to sustain his momentum and was shoved across the line narrowly best.

"That wasn't the way we drew it up before the race, but he broke OK, and from there I saw lot of horses going at it, so I just tucked in," winning jockey Florent Geroux said. "I was able to save a lot of going into the first turn, which was important given the tough post we had. From there he relaxed beautifully for me and took the kickback very well."

He continued: "I just took my time and made sure I was going to time it right. When he was ready I just tipped him all the way outside and made a nice, long run down the lane. I'm very pleased with the horse. I feel like I gave some ground to the runner-up, who had
a little bit of a better trip than mine, but my horse was able to overcome it. He proved he was the best horse today."