Grade 3, $200,000 Lecomte Stakes, one mile, 70 yards, Fair Grounds, Jan. 13, 2018 (10 Derby qualifying points for a win, 4 for second, 2 for third, 1 for fourth) Winner: Instilled Regard, by Arch Trainer: Jerry Hollendorfer Jockey: Javier Castellano Owner: OXO Equine LLC Beyer Speed Figure: 92 In the first significant intersectional race of the year, INSTILLED REGARD made it look as though California’s top 3-year-olds are going to be major players this year, as he shipped in to Fair Grounds and won in his first start outside California after four prior races. In his final start at 2, he finished third and then was moved up to second after the rough stretch run in the Los Alamitos CashCall Futurity, a race from which the winner, McKinzie, returned to win the Sham. Instilled Regard made an aggressive middle move in the Los Alamitos CashCall Futurity, but had a much cleaner trip this time and won as best. In the Lecomte, Instilled Regard was put right in the race from the start and went into the first turn three wide while just behind early leaders SNAPPER SINCLAIR and BELIEVE IN ROYALTY. He let those two clear off from him turning into the backstretch while showing far more maturity than in his prior start; he was content to sit there. He advanced on the leaders early on the far turn while still going comfortably, took the lead from Snapper Sinclair in upper stretch, swapped leads and drifted in, but then went about his business with authority the final furlong and galloped-out like more distance will be no problem. PRINCIPE GUILHERME, who was second, went into the first turn four paths wide while just outside of Instilled Regard, dropped back a bit into the backstretch, was forced to rally four paths wide on the far turn, was on the hip of Instilled Regard entering the lane, took a long time to swap over to his correct lead, kept to his task to gain the place but was no threat late to the winner. This was only his third start and he lost plenty of ground, and some of his inexperience betrayed him. He should be better for the effort. SNAPPER SINCLAIR, who was third, broke sharply and led into the first turn while inside of Believe in Royalty, conceded the lead entering the backstretch, ranged up outside Believe in Royalty three furlongs out to challenge anew for the lead, led narrowly into the lane, could not keep pace with Instilled Regard but fought valiantly and only lost second late to his Steve Asmussen-trained stablemate. Considering the pace – and the fact he’s probably better on turf – this was a good effort. ZING ZANG, who was fourth, checked briefly shortly after the start, but it was inconsequential as he has no early speed. He was in front of just one horse while saving ground around the first turn, saved ground initially on the far turn, had to wait slightly in traffic, was angled wide coming into the lane and made a decent late run in the middle of the track. His form has definitely improved since he arrived at Fair Grounds. KOWBOY KARMA, who was fifth, was shuffled back and lost position early and was forced to race toward the back half of the pack while saving ground around the first turn. He advanced to a more prominent position down the backstretch, launched a bid in the three path on the far turn, dived to the rail in upper stretch and loomed menacingly, then lost his punch in the final sixteenth. I think he’d be extremely dangerous on the turn back. EBBEN, who finished sixth, was caught about five paths wide into the first turn but gradually angled to the three path, between horses, by the time he entered the backstretch. He raced in some traffic early on the backstretch, commenced a wide rally on the far turn and was fanned to about the five path entering the lane, wasn’t far behind Principe Guilherme in upper stretch but couldn’t quite finish off the race. He didn’t have the easiest trip, but he’s also bred to be a miler; this might be at the outside range of what he can handle. PRINCE LUCKY, who was seventh, was anxious in the gate before the break, broke fine but was caught about five paths wide around the first turn, dropped back entering the backstretch, was able to save some ground on the far turn before angling out to the four path in upper stretch, but never made any impact in the late going. NIGHT STRIKE, who was eighth, broke slowly and trailed early while saving ground, continued to save ground while far back on the far turn, split rivals in upper stretch but never was involved. LONE SAILOR, who finished ninth, broke slowly but was able to advance to midpack while hugging the rail around the first turn, got up to third while inside Instilled Regard midway down the backstretch, could not go with Instilled Regard midway on the far turn, was out-footed in upper stretch and tired in the final furlong like a horse who wants a cutback in distance. ZEKE, who was 10th, was restrained early and went into the first turn four paths wide, then was squeezed toward the end of that turn and was shuffled back to lose position. He made some progress while inside toward the end of the backstretch, saved ground into the lane, but had nothing to offer when asked in upper stretch. ANALYZE THIS JET, who was 11th, raced in the two path, just outside of Lone Sailor, around the first turn, was between Lone Sailor and Instilled Regard down the backstretch, was outrun heading into the lane and weakened. BELIEVE IN ROYALTY, who was 12th, was hustled along to vie for the early lead from the two path while outside Snapper Sinclair around the first turn, tugged aggressively and seized the lead into the backstretch, had to be shoved along three furlongs out to try and hold his position but was done by the quarter pole and tired badly. TRIGGER WARNING, who finished last of 13, was compromised by his outside draw and was fanned about six paths wide around the first turn, appeared as though he wanted to lug out around that turn, continued wide to the far turn, faded nearing the top of the lane while trying to bear out badly and was eased through the lane, through he did cross the wire.