Flashback: Ranking the 5 greatest Lecomte winners

The Lecomte (G3) at Fair Grounds has produced a bevy of memorable winners in its long history. But try to rank them, and you’ll find that five stand out as particularly memorable winners of this Road to the Kentucky Derby prep race.

The 2021 Lecomte will take place on Saturday, so in anticipation, let’s recount the exploits of arguably the five greatest Lecomte champions. From the bottom up, we have:

5. No Le Hace (1972)

No Le Hace might not be a household name, but in 1972 he was one of the best 3-year-olds in training. After parlaying a Lecomte triumph into victories in the Louisiana Derby and Arkansas Derby, No Le Hace displayed serious talent during the Triple Crown series, finishing second in both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. In the latter test, No Le Hace charged gamely to finish well clear of champions Key to the Mint and Riva Ridge.

4. Oxbow (2013)

An injury suffered partway through his 3-year-old season contributed to Oxbow’s retirement, preventing him from achieving as much as he otherwise might have. But an upset victory in the Preakness and a runner-up effort in the Belmont Stakes are still sufficient to stamp the speedy front-runner as one of the most accomplished Lecomte winners in history.

3. War of Will (2019)

The versatile War of Will was a Grade 1-caliber threat on both dirt and turf. His Lecomte win was an early triumph during a productive sophomore season highlighted by a rail-skimming victory in the Preakness. But as a 4-year-old, War of Will proved most effective on grass, battling to a tenacious victory in the Maker’s Mark Mile (G1). The latter victory established War of Will the first U.S. classic winner to win a Grade 1 as an older horse since 2014 Kentucky Derby/Preakness champion California Chrome.

2. Ron the Greek (2010)

Although Ron the Greek’s stretch-running Lecomte success didn’t lead to a Triple Crown campaign, it was nevertheless a sign of big things to come. After spending much of his 3-year-old season on the sidelines, Ron the Greek returned better than ever as an older horse, nabbing such important prizes as the Santa Anita Handicap (G1), Stephen Foster Handicap (G1), and Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1).

Ron the Greek didn’t beat easy competition — two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan and Belmont Stakes winner Palace Malice were among his beaten rivals. He later enjoyed success in Saudi Arabia, adding the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup (G1) to his glowing resume,

1. Hard Spun (2007)

Hard Spun didn’t win as many Grade 1 races as War of Will or Ron the Greek, but the speedy Fox Hill Farms colorbearer deserves credit for competing with aplomb against one of the toughest classic generations in decades.

A member of the 3-year-old crop containing Curlin, Street Sense, Rags to Riches and Any Given Saturday, Hard Spun used his Lecomte victory as a steppingstone to victories in the King’s Bishop (G1), Lane’s End (G2), and Kentucky Cup Classic (G2), plus placed efforts in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, Haskell (G1), and Breeders’ Cup Classic. When all was said and done, he’d beaten Curlin and Street Sense twice apiece. That’s quite a resume!

J. Keeler Johnson is a writer, videographer, handicapper, and all-around horse racing enthusiast. A great fan of racing history, he considers Dr. Fager to be the greatest racehorse ever produced in America, but counts Zenyatta as his all-time favorite. You can follow him on Twitter at @J_Keelerman.