Mr. Bowling wins $175,000 Lecomte

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Mr. Bowling pulled ahead on the upper stretch Saturday and held off favorite Z Dager by a head to win the $175,000 Grade III Lecomte Stakes for 3-year-olds.

Jockey Robby Albarado kept Mr. Bowling just behind the leaders before making his move, pulling out a lead of about a length before holding on to take the first of three races for Kentucky Derby hopefuls held during the Fair Grounds' winter meet.

"I had a great trip, an unbelievable trip,'' Albarado said.

Albarado was riding Mr. Bowling for the first time, but he said he had been on the colt for some early morning workouts. And Mr. Bowling made a positive impression.

"I saw a lot of fight in him,'' Albarado said. "So I figured if I could get him clear turning for home, he would fight.''

Trained by Larry Jones, Mr. Bowling ran the mile and 70-yard course in 1:43.49 and paid $9.20, $4.80 and $4.00. Z Dager paid $4.80 and $3.60. Third-place Shared Property paid $3.80.

Mr. Bowling was racing for the first time since finishing third in the Iroquois Stakes at Churchill Downs in October.

"He's maturing at the right time,'' Jones said. "He really showed an affinity for this track when we got down here.''

The Fair Grounds' next two major races are the $300,000 Risen Star Stakes on Feb. 25 and the $1 million Louisiana Derby on April 1.