Lecomte runner-up Built to bypass Risen Star, wait for Louisiana Derby

Built didn’t win the Lecomte Stakes, regressing from the 92 Beyer Speed Figure he earned winning the Gun Runner on Dec. 21 to a 78, but trainer Wayne Catalano, if nothing else, saw a colt that displayed heart.

Going around the far turn in the Lecomte, Built clearly appeared to struggle with the sloppy, sealed racing surface, an impression jockey Jareth Loveberry confirmed in post-race comments and that Catalano further asserted Sunday morning.

“He couldn’t stand up on it,” Catalano said. “He acted like he didn’t like it at all.”

It took Built 29.76 seconds to cover the final 2 1/2 furlongs of the Gun Runner; in the Lecomte, he went the same distance in 32.93. Even still, Built finally began gaining on pacesetting Innovator at the furlong grounds and briefly looked like a winner before Disco Time, rallying widest, tagged him just before the wire. Catalano pointed out that Disco Time and Hit Show in the Louisiana Stakes immediately preceding the Lecomte had closed wide down the center of the track. Built raced along the rail and started improving when he came out a few paths from the fence.

“He got down there in that bog,” Catalano said. “What we saw was encouragement from a talent and heart point.”

Catalano said Built showed great energy and cleaned his feed Sunday morning. Nonetheless, pending discussions with Aron Wellman of owner Eclipse Thoroughbreds, Catalano’s inclined to bypass the Risen Star in February and aim at the Louisiana Derby on March 22. Built had 10 weeks between his maiden win at Keeneland in October and the Gun Runner.

“We ran him back quick enough this time. He probably won’t be in the Risen Star,” Catalano said.

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