Gun Runner winner Track Phantom works for Lecomte

Track Phantom had his first timed workout since capturing the Gun Runner Stakes on Dec. 23 at Fair Grounds when he breezed five furlongs in 1:02 on Sunday.

Track Phantom, a Quality Road colt trained by Steve Asmussen, ran well losing a pair of one-turn miles to begin his career before winning a two-turn maiden at Churchill and the 1 1/16-mile Gun Runner, where he contested a taxing pace and held solidly for a 1 1/4-length victory. Asmussen has said since the day after the Gun Runner that he plans to run Track Phantom in the Lecomte Stakes on Jan. 20 at Fair Grounds.

The Gun Runner’s third-place finisher, Nash, who was beaten at odds of 1-2 while making his stakes debut in just his third start, worked a half-mile in 49.20 on Friday. He, too, is expected to start in the Grade 3 Lecomte, trainer Brad Cox said last week.

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Lecomte runner-up Snead has yet to work since his race, and because he made five starts between August and December, Snead’s connections are passing the Lecomte to await the Risen Star, trainer Brendan Walsh confirmed.

Trainer Mark Casse said Can Group, a colt by Good Samaritan, is an intended Lecomte starter. Can Group turned in a pair of moderate third-place showings racing one turn on dirt his first two starts, but after being switched to turf he won a Kentucky Downs maiden race and the Grade 2 Bourbon at Keeneland before finishing fourth, beaten two lengths, in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.

“I think he deserves one shot going two turns on dirt,” Casse said.

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