NEW ORLEANS – The first stop on the Fair Grounds road to the Kentucky Derby may require rain gear. A sodden Saturday is forecast for when the Lecomte Stakes headlines a six-stakes, 14-race card. The temperature will tumble through the afternoon, and by evening, cold winter air will settle over Fair Grounds even as cold water has been thrown on the nascent Kentucky Derby dreams of the many folks with Lecomte starters. Fifteen were entered in the 12th-race Saturday feature, but Admire, owing to drawing post 14, isn’t coming from Florida, and the lone also-eligible, West Texas, also is an expected scratch. On Friday, Mr. Money, who would’ve been among the Lecomte favorites, was withdrawn from the race after getting sick. Trainer Bret Calhoun said Mr. Money coughed during Friday morning training and had a fever Friday afternoon. That still leaves a dozen expected runners and a real Gordian knot of a handicapping puzzle, with morning-line favorite Plus Que Parfait listed at a tepid 9-2, though likely to drop lower with Mr. Money’s defection. Plus Que Parfait is one of two remaining Lecomte entrants with Kentucky Derby qualifying points, which will determine the Derby field. He got four in finishing second Nov. 24 in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill, and he came within a neck of winning. The Lecomte offers a total of 17 points, distributed 10-4-2-1 to the top four finishers. Tight Ten earned four points for his second-place finish in the Iroquois Stakes at Churchill and came back to finish ninth in the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile. Tight Ten has talent but may wind up benefitting from a distance shorter than the Lecomte’s. Wicked Indeed, a Steve Asmussen-trained stablemate of Tight Ten, looks like he’s in deep, while stretch-out sprinter Malpais should take heavy pace pressure from post 2 in his first try against winners. California maiden Night Ops obviously has little to recommend him, while Mo Speed is forced into a deep stakes spot after clearing his first allowance condition. Roiland, improving race by race, could clunk into a share if a hot pace percolates. Hog Creek Hustle has run fast enough in one-turn races to contend. Chase the Ghost graduated last out in his first two-turn try; perhaps he has found his niche. First post on Saturday is 12:30 p.m. Central. KEY CONTENDERS Plus Que Parfait, by Point of Entry Last 3 Beyers: 84-81-65 ◗ Took a couple starts to get the hang of things but really came forward in his last two races of 2018. Fought back gamely along the rail in his Keeneland maiden win after being headed in upper stretch. ◗ After racing near the front in his first two routes, he was taken back out of traffic into the first turn of the KJC and had to rally from 11th. Wide off the turn, he missed by a neck to the capable Signalman, who got through along the inside, in the best single race turned in by any Lecomte starter. ◗ Plus Que Parfait will be ridden by Julien Leparoux and breaks from post 12. “He’s drawn a little wide this time, and Julien will just have to see how he breaks,” trainer Brendan Walsh said. “He doesn’t have to win this race, but I expect him to be there or thereabouts.” War of Will, by War Front Last 3 Beyers: 82-76-83 ◗ His connections won’t mind the forecast. After four turf races (three in graded stakes, including a solid fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf), trainer Mark Casse tried him on dirt Nov. 24 at Churchill, and over a sloppy track, War of Will notched an eye-catching five-length maiden win. ◗ Assistant trainer David Carroll had War of Will in Casse’s Keeneland string last fall and said from the start, he had trained capably on dirt. ◗ A grand-looking, robust colt, War of Will has displayed a professional attitude for a young horse. “He’s always had a lot of class,” said Carroll, who oversees Casse’s Fair Grounds string. Tackett, by Limehouse Last 3 Beyers: 84-81-70 ◗ West Virginia-bred is a bulky, strong-galloping type who was made for route racing and did well to contend in his sprint debut. ◗ Has won two Fair Grounds dirt routes already this meet, and after a front-running maiden score, he came from slightly off the pace while losing ground on the far turn in an allowance win last month. ◗ Inside draw could prove tricky for a horse who’s always been forwardly placed. Manny Wah, by Will Take Charge Last 3 Beyers: 91-78-70 ◗ Got a career-best speed figure while racing in blinkers for the first time last out. ◗ Has speed to somewhat mitigate the outside draw, and his pedigree leans route. “We’ve been looking for two turns,” trainer Wayne Catalano said. :: WIN A TRIP TO THE QUEEN'S PLATE: Click here to cast your vote for the 2018 Horse of the Year contest, and be entered to win a trip for two to the Queen’s Plate at Woodbine!