Mr. Bowling, sent to the gate as the 7/2 co-favorite, got up in the final yards to edge Z Dager and Shared Property in the Grade 3 Lecomte Stakes at the Fair Grounds. The winner stalked in mid-pack through as longshots Alexander Thegreat and Hero of Order set solid opening fractions of 23.21 and 47.22. At the top of the stretch the field fanned five or six wide, with Shared Property in the middle of the track looking like he had the momentum to go right on by Z Dager. Shared Property flattened out in the lane, as did Z Dager, allowing Mr. Bowling find the finish line first.
Truth be told, this race isn't going to win any style points. The pace was honest for the first half-mile but really fell apart in the later stages. The third quarter split went in 25.66 seconds, while the fourth quarter was run in a pedestrian 26.47.
We'll have to wait to see how the variant and figures break out for this day at the Fair Grounds but I'm doubtful that this race is going to earn a big number.
Mr. Bowling is a three-year-old son of Istan out of an Irish Tower mare (Goldilock's). He is trained by Larry Jones and was ridden by Robby Albarado.
The $0.50 Pick 4 returned a large $16,124.60 for a $0.50 base bet.
Fractions:
1/4: 23.21
1/2: 47.22
3/4: 1:12.88
Mile: 1:39.35
Finish:1:43.49
Internal Splits:
1/4: 23.21
1/2: 24.01
3/4: 25.66
Mile: 26.47
Finish: 4.14
Below are the payouts for the Lecomte Stakes:
Win: Mr. Bowling ($9.20, $4.80, $4.00)
Place: Z Dager ($4.80, $3.60)
Show: Shared Property ($3.80)
$1 Exacta: $21.60
$1 Trifecta: $121.20
$0.10 Super: $227.61
$1 Daily Double: $155.30
$1 Pick 3: $580.00
$0.50 Pick 4: $16,124.60