Leaving on My Mind hot horse for Lafitte

Leaving on My Mind has figured the racing game out over his past several starts and on Saturday night will be favored to win his fourth straight stakes in the $100,000 Jean Lafitte at Delta Downs. The one-mile race for 2-year-olds is a prep for the $1 million Delta Jackpot on Dec 4.

Leaving on My Mind has been in a zone since Sept. 18, when he closed rapidly to win a division of the $125,000 Texas Stallion Stakes. One start later, he stretched out to two turns and defeated open company in the $100,000 Middleground at one mile at Lone Star Park. For an encore, Leaving on My Mind shortened up in distance and won the $50,000 Mocha Express in his last start Oct. 23.

It has been a powerful run for the gelding, who has stepped up his game since last summer.

"In his early races he showed a little bit of lack of maturity," said Danny Pish, who trains Leaving on My Mind. "He was very aggressive and wanting to go a lot.

"Now, I think he's running with a little more composure. He's moving in a relaxed manner."

Pish said that with a good effort Saturday, Leaving on My Mind could return for the Jackpot, which his regular rider, Roman Chapa, won last year aboard Mr. Jester.

Leaving on My Mind is a half-brother to First Attraction, who won the Jean Lafitte when it was a sprint for 2-year-olds run every March at Delta Downs. Leaving on My Mind, a winner of $223,373, races for George Wolff.

Proud Comic will make his two-turn and stakes debut Saturday. He is a full brother to a past Jean Lafitte winner, Comic Truth, a Grade 3 winner with earnings of $370,948. Proud Comic won his maiden in his debut, and Gerard Melancon has the mount for trainer Cole Norman.

Also in Saturday's field is My Parade, winner of the $75,000 Lafayette for trainer Eddie Milligan.