Golden Tempo Rallies From Last to Win Lecomte Stakes, Earns Derby Points

Golden Tempo surged from the back of the pack to score a determined victory in the $250,000 Lecomte Stakes (G3) at Fair Grounds, covering 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.98. The Curlin colt closed strongly along the inside to defeat stablemate Mesquite by three-quarters of a length, with 15-1 longshot Carson Street finishing third. Golden Tempo entered the race as the favorite at about 2.7-1 and picked up 20 Road to the Kentucky Derby points for the win.

Ridden by José Ortiz for trainer Cherie DeVaux, Golden Tempo overcame a slow early trip and traffic to produce a late kick that proved decisive. The colt handled his first two-turn test effectively, moving from last into contention around the far turn and hauling in Mesquite in midstretch. DeVaux reflected on the performance, noting he “did idle a little bit (in midstretch), but then he came back on nicely.” Ortiz also commented on the tactical trip and the colt’s response under pressure.

The result confirms Golden Tempo’s affinity for late-running trips and validates his status among the early Kentucky Derby hopefuls. Winning a graded stakes in a sharp final time on a two-turn layout gives connections both confidence and flexibility in shaping his prep schedule. Mesquite’s runner-up finish for the same stable underscores Cherie DeVaux’s productive positioning of the duo and offers a tactical advantage when multiple runners from one barn can influence pace and lanes.

From an industry perspective, the Lecomte continues to serve as an important regional stepping stone on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, rewarding horses that can translate sprint speed into route stamina. Golden Tempo’s victory also highlights the commercial currency of Curlin progeny on the Triple Crown trail; a graded-stakes score under a leading rider like José Ortiz enhances the colt’s résumé for racing and future stud valuation.

For Fair Grounds and its fanbase, the race reinforced the meet’s role in developing three-year-olds and engaging bettors with a clear favorite-turned-winner storyline. Bettors who backed Golden Tempo saw the favorite hold up, while Carson Street’s 15-1 return will draw attention to value plays in future preps.

Golden Tempo’s Lecomte victory positions him to accumulate more Derby points and invites scrutiny over how he handles successive two-turn tests. Connections will now weigh the next moves on the Road to the Kentucky Derby as the colt builds toward the spring classics.