Grade 3 LeComte May Yield Early Kentucky Derby Clues

Eagle is the 3/1 favorite in the field of eleven after a solid third-place effort in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes November 29 at Churchill Downs.  The Neil Howard trainee was forced to steady entering the far turn, but still managed to make a stout closing move to finish just three parts of a length back of the highly-regarded El Kabeir, who captured the Jerome Stakes at Aqueduct in his next start.  Eagle, a son of Candy Ride, draws post eleven with Brian Hernandez getting the call.  Hernandez has ridden Eagle in all four of his career starts, recording two wins and a second place finish in addition to the third-place finish in the Kentucky Jockey Club.

War Story looks to stay unbeaten 

9/2 second choice, War Story, merits plenty of respect after beginning his career with a pair of impressive victories.  Trained by Tom Amoss, War Story won his debut at Churchill Downs going seven furlongs against maiden special weight company, and followed that score with a decisive two-turn allowance win at Fair Grounds going a mile.  War Story will break from post four under jockey James Graham. 

Another Lemon Drop dangerous late 

Another Lemon Drop (6/1) could prove to be Calvin Borel’s next Kentucky Derby mount if things go well in the LeComte.  Another Lemon Drop closed nicely on a sloppy Fair Grounds track last out to win a $50,000 optional claiming event at the one mile distance.