Mo Tom's Big Closing Move Wins the Lecomte
The 2016 Kentucky Derby Trail made its first of three stops at Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans for the Lecomte Stakes (G3). The 2.20-1 betting favorite, Mo Tom, won the race and picked up 10 more Kentucky Derby qualifying points with a late run down the middle of the stretch.
A field of 10 three-year-olds, all of them making their first start of 2016, was entered in the mile and 70 contest that was vying for a share of the $200,000 purse and the 10-4-2-1 Derby points that were available for the top four finishers. Dolphus, 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra’s half-brother, acted up behind the gate dumping his rider and had to be scratched causing a delay to the start of the race.
Once the remaining nine horses broke from the gate, Z Royal from Zayat Stables quickly went to the lead and set the pace for more than three quarters of the race. Pinnacle Peak followed a length or so behind the frontrunner with Fish Trappe Road in third. While the early fractions were 23.64, 47.30, and 1:12.47, Mo Tom sat near the back of the pack in eighth place as far as 10 ½ lengths behind the front.
As the field turned for home the pace setters began to fade and the closers began to make their moves. Along with Mo Tom, Tom’s Ready, who wears the same silks as the eventual winner, was also making a big move. It was Tom’s Ready that hit the lead first, but he was no match for Mo Tom, who after being swung out to the three path after saving ground around the turn drew off easily to a 2 ¼ length victory. The final time of the race was 1:43.18.
Mo Tom’s rider Corey Lanerie described his trip, “It was good, he broke really good and got pinched a little bit going into the first turn. We got knocked a little off stride there but he gathered himself up really good. Down the backside I was pretty confident, especially when I called on him to get in a little bit better position. On the middle of the turn I was going to try to maybe weave my way through but I had so much horse I said, ‘let me just put him in the clear.’”
For GMB Racing, which belongs to the owners of the New Orleans Saints, Gayle and Tom Benson, Mo Tom upped his Kentucky Derby point total to 12. The son of Uncle Mo had previously won two points when he finished third in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) behind Airoforce and Mor Spirit. This was Mo Tom’s first stakes victory and he upped his career stats to 5: 3-0-2 with earnings of $211,526.
Trainer Tom Amoss, who had won the Lecomte in 2010 with Ron the Greek was pleased, “Great way to start his 3-year-old season. Today’s race was a mile and 70 (yards), I’m sure Corey (Lanerie) would agree, when the distance gets further, the better our horse is going to get so we’re really excited about that. I have to say Gayle Benson has been great, she’s a great owner and she gets a big assist from her partner Tom Benson. We’re really pleased, they’re both New Orleans natives – we’re really happy.”
For the win, Mo Tom paid $6.40, $3.60, and $2.40 while the second place finisher paid $5.60 and $3.40. Although the two share ownership they have different trainers. Dallas Stewart is the conditioner of Tom’s Ready. The GMB Racing exacta paid $29.20 for a $2 bet.