Chip Honcho draws outside post in 11-horse Lecomte field

Fair Grounds released entries and post positions for the Lecomte Stakes on January 11, and Chip Honcho, by Gun Runner and handled by trainer Steve Asmussen, landed an outside post in the 11-horse field. The Lecomte remains an early Kentucky Derby qualifying points race, so post placement and pace dynamics will matter for connections and bettors alike.

Chip Honcho’s outside draw changes how Asmussen will map out the colt’s trip. Outside posts can force a wide trip around the first turn or require a more aggressive break to secure position on the lead. Given Chip Honcho’s Gun Runner breeding and recent form, handicappers will be weighing whether this colt can overcome the extra ground or needs a cleaner trip to make his Derby campaign viable.

Crown the Buckeye is among the other headline names in the draw, giving the race multiple tactical players. With an 11-horse configuration, the Lecomte can set up as a true pace test or favor stalkers who can tuck in amid traffic. Trainers and riders will be studying the scratches and morning-line odds as race day approaches to assess pace pressure and potential ground-saving routes.

For owners and local stables, the draw offers practical implications: post positions can affect equipment choices, course schooling work, and jockey assignments. For the wagering public, post position will feed directly into pool strategy; outside-drawn speed horses often attract conservative wagers against because of the risk of a compromised trip, while deep-closing types can see value if the inside shows speed.

The Lecomte’s status as a Kentucky Derby points event means that placings here can shape the early pecking order for the 2026 Triple Crown trail. A strong effort from Chip Honcho despite the outside post would reinforce his Derby credentials and could influence where Asmussen places him next on the calendar.

With the draw now set, attention shifts to final entries, morning-line odds and the race-day pace scenario. Verify scratches and jockey confirmations closer to post time, and factor the outside draw into speed-figure and trip-projection models. How Chip Honcho handles the wide post will be a key storyline as the stretch run toward the Derby points season unfolds.