Destin likely to start in Lecomte

Entering eight days ahead of a race, as Fair Grounds is doing for the Jan. 16 program, creates a strange dynamic and gives trainer Todd Pletcher plenty of time to weigh all factors with Destin, whom he said Thursday he will enter in the Lecomte.

“In this particular case, we can enter, see how we draw, breeze, see how he comes out of the breeze, and then ship,” Pletcher said. “Our plan right now is to run.”

Destin, a Giant’s Causeway colt owned by Twin Creeks Racing, won his Oct. 11 debut at Belmont by one length, then chased all the way and finished second as the odds-on favorite in a first-level, one-mile allowance Dec. 18 at Gulfstream. Pletcher said he thought Destin was more focused on the horse in front of him than on going about his business, and in an effort to increase his focus, Pletcher plans to race Destin in blinkers for the first time.

“I thought he was a little green,” Pletcher said. “We worked him back in blinkers and thought we saw some improvement.”

Destin is scheduled to work in company Saturday at Palm Beach Downs. If all goes well, he’ll ship by van Thursday to Fair Grounds. Pletcher said he still was finalizing a jockey commitment but mentioned Julien Leparoux as a possible rider.