The $250,000 Lecomte (G3) at Fair Grounds is an important Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier with a competitive field and many viable win contenders. Morning-line favorite #13 Built impressed in his last race, but may face a tougher setup in the Lecomte, making his 3-1 odds seem short.

Instead of Built, a speedy longshot named #1 Innovator (10-1) from the barn of Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas is a top choice. Innovator showed great potential as a juvenile and ended 2024 with a win at Oaklawn Park, earning an 87 Beyer Speed Figure. With a pedigree to shine over 1 1/16 miles, Innovator could spring a double-digit upset in the Lecomte.

Other appealing contenders in the Lecomte include #11 Disco Time (9-2), #2 Maximum Promise (10-1), #5 Optical (20-1), and #7 Calling Card (12-1). Maximum Promise and Optical, in particular, have shown impressive performances in their previous races and could be worth including on betting tickets for the Lecomte.