The road to the Kentucky Derby is officially on in the Bayou.
A massive field of 14 will be heading to post at the LeComte Stakes on Saturday night in a race which will help establish who the three-year old is to beat at the Fair Grounds in the prep races for the Run for the Roses.
You can find horse racing odds at BookMaker.eu at the online racebook.
ODDS ANALYSIS
1: Riding in the Wind 30/1
2: Fish Trappe Road 6/1
3: Uncle Walter 6/1
4: Z Royal 15/1
5: Dolphus 10/1
6: Noble Thought 10/1
7: Mo Tom 7/2
8: Battle Tap 10/1
9: Indygo Breeze 50/1
10: Pinnacle Peak 8/1
11: Tiznoble 10/1
12: Mending Fences 20/1
13: Destin 6/1
14: Tarpon Bay Road 20/1
One glance at this awesome field will show you just how competitive Louisiana is expected to be this year. The favorite at the LeComte Stakes is Mo Tom at 7 to 2, but that isn't exactly a convincing price at this level. A trio of colts come in at 6 to 1 as the co-second favorites, but aside from that, we're talking about a slew of ponies set around 10 to 1 or so.
There are only two real longshots in the LeComte Stakes, that being Riding in the Wind at 30 to 1 and Indygo Breeze, a 50 to 1 choice who has never broken a Beyer Speed Rating of 70 in his career.
FAVORITE TO FOLLOW
Mo Tom has hit the board in all four of his career races to date, and his best showing came at the Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill Downs in November. It's been a while since he's been on the track, but that third place finish after a poor start is notable.
We hate the fact that Mo Tom is going to have to come from off the pace in a crowded field like this one, but he was relatively successful in doing so to get up to third best at the Kentucky Jockey Club against a field which is far greater than the one he's up against on Saturday.
UNDERDOG TO WATCH
We're actually going to give a shot to the second longshot on the board here. Riding in the Wind has drawn the favorable inside post and should be able to stay on the rail without getting boxed out. He's a starter by nature, and he's won his last two races, albeit against particularly iffy fields.
Of course, having Juan Vargas as a jockey and Jose Lopez as a trainer won't exude confidence out of bettors, but this 30 to 1 price tag should be considered notable.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The real concern we have here at the LeComte Stakes is that there isn't a lot of experience at this type of route distance, and few have run up against fields anywhere near this large. Mo Tom has experience in both, and that's why he's the favorite.
That said, we think that speed is going to end up paying on Saturday at the LeComte Stakes. You've got to look to horses like Fish Trappe Road, Dolphus and Noble Thought who will all be in good early position to find the victor. The best horse in the field isn't Riding in the Wind, but he might have the best value. That price is too good to pass on in the first of three major prep races at the Fair Grounds.
Play Riding in the Wind to win the LeComte Stakes
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone or tablet with BookMaker's new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here, and start wagering right now! Bet on horse racing today with the LeComte Stakes, which goes to post on Saturday, January 16, 2016 at 6:21 p.m. ET at Fair Grounds Race Course.
