War Story makes quick turnaround for Lecomte

Having just started Dec. 28, War Story will race Saturday in the Grade 3, $200,000 Lecomte Stakes on less than three weeks’ rest. Faced with the choice of running or waiting for the Feb. 21 Risen Star, trainer Tom Amoss and principal owner Ron Paolucci decided to race.

“Look, the options were to run here or wait for the Risen Star, and we decided this was the better choice,” Amoss said.

War Story, a son of Northern Afleet, won his seven-furlong debut Nov. 1 at Churchill by 2 3/4 lengths, which prompted a private purchase by Paolucci and partner Chris Dunn, the same connections that campaigned Ria Antonia. Making his first start for them, War Story won a first-level allowance over one mile here late last month, and though he beat only five foes and did not run especially fast, War Story strode out nicely through the short homestretch run of the Fair Grounds mile, looking like a horse who could go farther.

“I think he’s bred to do that, and I think both of his races suggest he can go longer,” Amoss said.

Amoss said War Story is a laid-back horse who only works aggressively if put in company. His lone workout since his allowance win was a solo half-mile drill Jan. 6 timed in 51.60 seconds.

Lecomte favorite draws outside

Eagle, the likely Lecomte favorite Saturday off his encouraging third-place finish in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes, landed post 11 when entries were taken Monday. That post in races at one mile and 70 yards during the last five Fair Grounds meets has produced only 3 winners from 97 starters, but trainer Neil Howard isn’t sweating it.

“I’m not overly concerned,” he said. “It’s a cliché, but I’d rather have that than the 1 hole. He’s usually pretty smooth out of the gate and gets a nice position. All these years, I’d like to think I’ve matured a little about things like that. You really have no control over it.”