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Mandaloun wins an allowance race at Churchill Downs on Nov. 28
The calendar has turned. The distances have increased. An extra turn has been added. The acid test beckons. Eleven 3-year-olds including the undefeated Mandaloun will assemble for Saturday s Grade 3 Lecomte at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in the hopes of proving their mettle not only locally, but on the national scene as well, as thoughts turn to the first Saturday in May and the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve.
The sorting out process begins in the 1 1/16-mile Lecomte, which will offer 17 qualifying points for the Derby (10-4-2-1), and should prove a key stepping-stone to the local March 20 TwinSpires Louisiana Derby (G2) as well.