Coach Cherie DeVaux mentioned earlier within the week that she could be a “little disillusioned” if she didn’t have a robust contender on this spring’s Kentucky Derby offered by Woodford Reserve. Three and a half months out, she appears to be effectively on her approach after DeVaux trainees Golden Tempo and Mesquite uncorked highly effective stretch runs to complete 1-2 within the Grade 3 $250,000 Lecomte Stakes Jan. 17 at Honest Grounds.
“So excited for each horses,” DeVaux mentioned.
Each newly turned 3-year-olds ran effectively, with the end result determined partially from their respective journeys. Golden Tempo, who broke slowly, was in a position to save floor below a affected person experience from Jose Ortiz, whereas Mesquite ran a wider path below jockey Flavien Prat.
Within the residence stretch of the 1 1/16-mile race, Golden Tempo and Mesquite caught main Carson Avenue who raced on the tempo in fractions of :23.72, :47.11, and 1:11.89. With a last-to-first rally, Golden Tempo hit the wire first in a time of 1:44.98 on a quick observe with Ortiz pumping his fist in jubilation on the end.
“I adopted Mesquite till the three-eighths pole,” Ortiz mentioned. “He went exterior and I went inside. Fortunately, I acquired a gap, and the horse did the remainder. I am very impressed. I used to be a bit bit anxious since you by no means understand how a horse goes to react going two turns for the primary time, and he was dealing with stakes horses for the primary time.”
The Lecomte was solely the second profession begin for Golden Tempo after his debut win going six furlongs final month at Honest Grounds. Within the Lecomte, Golden Tempo was guess right down to favoritism within the subject of 10 and paid $7.40 for a $2 win wager.
Mesquite, making his third begin after a route maiden victory at Churchill Downs in his second profession outing in November, completed three-quarters of a size behind Golden Tempo. Carson Avenue pale to 3rd, a neck behind the runner-up. Gun Runner Stakes winner Chip Honcho began slowly, went broad from submit 10, and completed fourth. High quality Mischief was fifth.
With Saturday’s victory, Golden Tempo earned 20 qualifying factors on the Highway to the Kentucky Derby. The factors vaulted him into second place on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard behind FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile offered by TAA winner Ted Noffey who leads with 40 factors.
The Lecomte was the primary home prep race of 2026 for 3-year-olds with Derby qualifying factors distributed on a 20-10-6-4-2 foundation to its prime 5 finishers. Churchill Downs officers use qualifying factors to publicize the 1 1/4-mile first leg of the Triple Crown and as a desire system when the race lures greater than its capability subject measurement of 20 starters. Level totals will enhance for Derby preps run later this winter and spring.
