Grade 3, $200,000 Lecomte Stakes, 1 1/16 miles, Fair Grounds, Jan. 16, 2021 (10 Derby qualifying points for first, 4 for second, 2 for third, 1 for fourth) Winner: Midnight Bourbon, by Tiznow Trainer: Steve Asmussen Jockey: Joe Talamo Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC Beyer Speed Figure: 91 MIDNIGHT BOURBON looked to be a decided cut below his brethren last year at age 2, when he was clearly inferior to the likes of stablemate Jackie’s Warrior in the Champagne Stakes, but he took a significant jump in his 3-year-old debut with a career-best Beyer figure while racing at the longest distance of his career. His sire was a late-developing 3-year-old, so it’s conceivable Midnight Bourbon is going to be much better at 3 than 2, and that this was a preview of coming attractions. However, the top three finishers all took notable leaps forward on their Beyer figures. Are they all getting faster owing to maturity from 2 to 3? That’s an obvious, logical conclusion one could reach. But I’m going to remain a bit circumspect about this race until the top finishers run back, in races like the Risen Star and Louisiana Derby, and confirm this performance. In this race, Midnight Bourbon utilized his inside draw and natural speed to take a clear lead around the first turn. He maintained that margin down the backstretch while setting a moderate pace, was going well within himself when PROXY ranged outside him on the far turn, got clear again in upper stretch when initially under a hand ride, and held safe his closest two rivals while drifting out slightly in the late going. Proxy, who finished second, bumped with REGULAR GUY leaving the gate, then settled into a stalking position, just behind and outside of Midnight Bourbon, around the first turn. He inched closer heading into the far turn, was nearly on even terms at the top of the lane, lost ground in upper stretch, but fought on bravely to cut into the winner’s margin while out-dueling MANDALOUN in the final sixteenth while drifting out under left-handed whipping. Mandaloun, who was third, was three paths wide around the first turn while just behind and outside of Proxy. He never had an opportunity to save ground, so he wound up in the same spot on the far turn, three paths wide, behind and outside Midnight Bourbon and Proxy, respectively. He was the first of that trio to come under serious urging, prior to the quarter pole, and he finished steadily through the lane, though it was disappointing to see him not get up for second. This was his stakes debut, his first start around two turns, and only his third start, so he’s far from exposed, but right now his reputation exceeds his accomplishments. The rest were way back. :: KENTUCKY DERBY 2021: Point standings, prep schedule, news, and more SANTA CRUISER, who was fourth, broke a half-step slow, then got squeezed back between rivals and was last coming under the wire the first time. He raced well back down the backstretch, came around only the tiring RED N WILD on the far turn, then was tipped to the center of the track and made a decent late run while largely passing tired rivals and no threat to the top three. This was his first try around two turns. He’s given the impression in prior races of being a late-running, one-turn horse. ARABIAN PRINCE, who was fifth, broke slightly slowly but used his inside draw to tuck into a ground-saving spot just behind Midnight Bourbon around the first turn, and was essentially even with Mandaloun entering the backstretch. He stayed in that spot until the far turn, at which point the top three began to sail away from him, and he steadily retreated through the lane. GAME DAY PLAY, who was sixth, veered out at the start to contribute to the early trouble encountered by Santa Cruiser, then went into the first turn three to four paths wide while continuing to drift to his right. He finally dropped over nearing the far turn, but offered nothing when asked to advance. The game day play should be back to sprints, and softer company. Regular Guy, who was seventh, was restless in the gate before the start, then bumped with Proxy leaving the gate. He went into the first turn just outside of Arabian Prince, but was tossing his head about. He followed Proxy down the backstretch, could not keep pace with the top three around the far turn, and emptied out in the final furlong. There’s enough evidence in this race and prior starts that he needs to be forwardly placed, or he’s in trouble. Red N Wild, who finished last of eight, veered in at the start to help put the squeeze on Santa Cruiser, then went into the first turn in the two path while toward the rear of the field, in front of only Santa Cruiser. He was badly outrun the rest of the way in a dull effort.