Instant Coffee sharp in Lecomte return

Jan 22, 2023 James Scully/TwinSpires.com

Instant Coffee unleashed a bold turn of foot on the far turn
of Saturday’s $194,000 Lecomte (G3) at Fair Grounds, rallying from last into contention
turning for home, and the long-striding colt blew past leaders to win going
away by a 2 1/2-length margin.

Last seen winning Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill
Downs in late November, Instant Coffee was at the mercy of a tedious pace that
afternoon, and the slow final time made his 1 1/4-length triumph a difficult
read. The late runner seemingly took a big step forward in his three-year-old
opener, displaying more professionalism with regular rider Luis Saez, and
Instant Coffee was timed in 1:45.12, the fastest from six races at the 1
1/16-mile distance over the fast track Saturday.

Kentucky Derby winner Brad Cox trains the son of Bolt d’Oro,
the leading first-crop sire of 2022, and Instant Coffee picked up 20 points
winning the Road to the Kentucky Derby series qualifier, moving to second on
the leaderboard with 32 total points. He left the starting gate as the 1.30-1
favorite among six runners.

Gold Square LLC (Al Gold) purchased Instant Coffee for
$200,000 as a yearling He was bred in Kentucky by Kevin Plank’s Sagamore Farm
and is the first stakes winner from the stakes-placed Follow No One, a daughter
of Uncle Mo, sire of 2016 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist.

Instant Coffee won at first asking at Saratoga, taking a
seven-furlong maiden special weight by nearly a length in late September. He
broke slowly in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland next out and traveled
far back during the early stages, closing belatedly for fourth. The dark bay
rebounded in the Kentucky Jockey Club and has now won 3-of-4 starts.

Two Phil’s, who was making his first appearance since
winning the Street Sense (G3) at Churchill in late October, offered a good run
for second, 5 1/4 lengths clear of Confidence Game in third. Denington and
Bromley came next under the wire. Pacesetter Echo Again was walked off the
track after being pulled up in the stretch.

The next Kentucky Derby qualifiers at Fair Grounds, the Risen
Star (G2) on Feb. 18 and Louisiana Derby (G2) on March 25, are both options for
Instant Coffee.