Today I’m launching a new feature, weekly three-year old rankings, that will track the class through their three-year old preps, from the Kentucky Derby all the way to the Travers, and then the Breeders Cup. The rankings will be their own section, easily accessed at the top of the site.

The Lecomte at the Fair Grounds this past Saturday really gets the Triple Crown season going, and a mild upset was sprung when Midnight Bourbon strolled wire to wire when left alone on the lead and getting the half mile in 49 seconds. Favorite Mandaloun chased futilely 2-3 wide all the way around, and lacked punch in the lane, getting outfinished by Proxy for the place. Keith Desormeaux Santa Cruiser ranged up late for a non threatening fourth.

A reported 91 Beyer loose on an early lead doesn’t really get my blood pumping for Midnight Bourbon, or any of these yet. The top four probably advance on the trail. Mandaloun gets reason to improve in the next after the wide-is trip, but he’ll have to prove that he can. Proxy seems to be a rangy type with reason to improve, but will clearly need to get faster, but I’d call this one a good starting point. Santa Cruiser at a glance looks like the type that may cash some checks for smaller slices, and will need significant improvement or a pace set up to really get involved on the trail.

For the moment, none of these will threaten the top 8. The list is a bit rough around the edges for now, we’ll continue to refine as the year progresses.

Who do you favor – I welcome comments.

In other stakes action, Title Ready ground ’em down in the Louisiana Stakes, defeating Blackberry Wine and Wells Bayou in what may not be the strongest handicap division this year. Title Ready earned a 98 Beyer for the win. Decent showing off the long layoff for Wells Bayou, who likely will be much sharper next time out. Silver Prospector, one I had pegged to be a player, was a disappointing no-show.

One to watch: Luminist just lost a nose between horses on debut at Laurel for Brittany Russell, getting beat by a Motion trainee. The son of Tonalist will likely be a short price next time, but a possible key horse in sequences. Let’s cash!