The Road to Louisville stretches into New Orleans on Saturday as the Lecomte Stakes kicks off a slate of three Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve prep races in 2024 for 3-year-olds at Fair Grounds.

The Lecomte, at 1 1/16 miles, offers a $200,000 purse and it is also the first of nine preps that are worth a total of 42 points. The first five finishers will receive 20-10-6-4-2 points in descending order.

1. Next Level (30-1 morning-line odds): Was sent off at 36.70-1 in the Gun Runner Stakes on this main track and ran to those odds, losing by 32 1/4 lengths. Seems overmatched here.

JOCKEY: David Cohen; TRAINER: Keith Desormeaux

2. Nash (5-2): Made his stakes debut in the Gun Runner off a big maiden win. Was a heavy 1-2 favorite and finished a disappointing third. Could rebound here with a better try and is worth a long look.

JOCKEY: Florent Geroux; TRAINER: Brad Cox

3. Tizzy Indy (30-1): Was a $20,000 maiden claiming race winner in November 2023 and has yet to prove he can be a contender at this class level. Pass.

JOCKEY: James Graham; TRAINER: Keith Desormeaux

4. Can Group (8-1): Took a big forward step when moved to turf. His two starts on dirt were mediocre, but he could be a factor if he can transfer his turf form to the main track.

JOCKEY: Jareth Loveberry; TRAINER: Mark Casse

5. Ethan Energy (4-1): Was an impressive 5 ¼-length maiden winner on this main track in his second career start and first try around two turns. A similar effort for top connections here will make him a major threat.

JOCKEY: Luis Saez; TRAINER: Brad Cox

6. Lat Long (8-1): Needed five tries to finally break his maiden in his most recent start. Has never been worse than third and seems capable of being a part of the exotics.

JOCKEY: Brian J. Hernandez Jr.; TRAINER: Ken McPeek

Track Phantom (Hodges Photography/Amanda Hodges Weir)

7. Track Phantom (9-5): Showed sharp early speed to take the Gun Runner at this distance. Time was good and the fractions were sharp, making him the probable favorite and the one to beat.

JOCKEY: Joel Rosario; TRAINER: Steve Asmussen

8. Awesome Road (8-1): Turned in two disappointing stakes tries since an impressive debut win. Has worked sharply for this start and could be more competitive, but he drew a tough post for this distance. Editor’s Note: Awesome Road will be withdrawn from the Lecomte field per the Daily Racing Form’s Marcus Hersh.

JOCKEY: Axel Concepcion; TRAINER: Brad Cox

THE PICK: Ethan Energy

LIVE LONGSHOT: Lat Long

SUPERFECTA: 5-7-2-6