Super Screener: 2 long shots to consider in the Lecomte
The eyes of the racing world on Saturday will be largely focused on the stacked 14-race program at Fair Grounds that features six stakes led by the 1 1/16-miles Lecomte (G3) for 3-year-olds, which is a points-paying prep for the Kentucky Derby.
According to Super Screener, the data-driven handicapping method created by author Mike Shutty, the nine-horse Lecomte offers bettors 'moderate payoff potential' given the presence of Breeders' Cup Juvenile runner-up Pappacap (8-5 morning-line favorite) and Epicenter (9-5), who won last month's Gun Runner Stakes at Fair Grounds for trainer Steve Amussen.
The two morning-line favorites are rated as the "top win contenders" by Super Screener. However, for those unwilling to gamble on a short price, there are alternatives. Super Screener gives a big push to a pair of long shots that are 20-1 and 15-1 on the morning line, respectively.
A quick and contentious pace is projected by Super Screener and that could set things up for a closer to make an impact such as Call Me Midnight. Trained by Keith Desormeaux, Call Me Midnight failed to menace when last seen running seventh in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) on Nov. 27. But two weeks prior to that, the son of Midnight Lute uncorked a late burst to break his maiden going away at Churchill Downs by 3 1/2 lengths. He owns the fastest Brisnet Late Pace rating in the field. So if the pace shapes up as projected, expect this guy to come running late.
In addition to the Lecomte, this week's Super Screener offers full analysis and wagering strategies for five undercard stakes from Fair Grounds as well as the Franklin Square Stakes from Aqueduct. As an added bonus, Super Screener also has a late Pick 5 strategy for Fair Grounds.