Leading Contender (USA)
About
Leading Contender is a 6yo dk b/br horse from the United States trained by Oscar S. Barrera III. He is by Gun Runner out of Kenda and has captured two victories so far. On December 31 2023 at Aqueduct, he earned his most important win, taking the $90,000 prize in Race 6.
Race Record
| Event Summary | Runner Stats | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Belmont At The Big A 14-Sep-25 1609m R3 Race 3 $3,010 (of $43,000) Barrier 5, Winning Time: 01:37.620, SP: 10.00 chased three wide under urging from the half mile pole, angled six to seven wide into upper stretch, stayed on one paced to the finish. | R Silvera 56.2kg 3.50L | 4 (7) |
| Saratoga 06-Jul-25 1810m FIRM R2 Race 2 $6,000 (of $60,000) Barrier 1, Winning Time: 01:52.010, SP: 2.63 moved out into the first turn, went around that bend most of that bend in the three path then shifted to the four path, tracked the pace on the outside, gained to make a bid at the seven-sixteenths pole, vied in the three path on the turn, took the lead just inside the three-eighths pole, moved to the four path while under threat outside the quarter-pole, floated into the seven path entering the stretch then lost the advantage to the winner around the three-sixteenths pole, dropped back into the final furlong and weakened while well clear for the show. | M Franco 56.7kg 7.75L | 3 (5) |
| Belmont At The Big A 17-May-25 2212m GOOD R2 Race 2 $18,000 (of $90,000) Barrier 7, Winning Time: 02:04.460, SP: 7.00 2p2nd,4p1/4,drift out | M Franco 56.2kg 1.25L | 2 (3) |
| Aqueduct 18-Apr-25 1609m FIRM R7 Race 7 $1,260 (of $84,000) Barrier 3, Winning Time: 01:36.490, SP: 6.00 Bmp brk,5p turn,4p1/4 | M Franco 54.9kg 6.00L | 6 (7) |
| Saratoga 08-Jun-24 2011m FIRM R2 Race 2 $4,600 (of $115,001) Barrier 5, Winning Time: 00:12.090 2p turns,3p1/4,empty | F Prat 55.3kg 30.00L | 5 (9) |
| Aqueduct 29-Apr-24 1810m FIRM R3 Race 3 $16,800 (of $84,000) Barrier 2, Winning Time: 01:48.520 2-3w turns,brshd late | I Castillo 55.8kg 4.00L | 2 (6) |
| Aqueduct 02-Mar-24 1810m FIRM R8 Race 8 $16,800 (of $84,000) Barrier 1, Winning Time: 01:52.880 Ins-2path,outfinished | M Franco 55.8kg 1.50L | 2 (8) |
| Aqueduct 04-Feb-24 1911m FIRM R5 Race 5 $16,800 (of $84,000) Barrier 6, Winning Time: 00:12.080 3-4p,btw3/8-1/4,7p3/16 | M Franco 55.8kg 0.15L | 2 (5) |
| Aqueduct 31-Dec-23 1810m FIRM R6 Race 6 $56,700 (of $90,000) Barrier 4, Winning Time: 01:49.320 4 wide move,drew clear | M Franco 55.8kg | 1 (6) |
| Aqueduct 01-Dec-23 1911m FIRM R8 Race 8 $6,300 (of $90,000) Barrier 1, Winning Time: 01:57.400 stumbled at the start but broke with the field, moved from the rail to the two path on the first turn, was well placed while rated just off the pace, came under urging in the two path on the final turn, was driven four wide into the stretch, pursued the leading trio in the drive and finished willingly to just miss the show. | J Castellano 55.8kg 1.25L | 4 (6) |
| Keeneland 23-Oct-23 1709m FIRM R6 CL $22,000 (of $110,000) Barrier 4, Winning Time: 01:45.760 tracked two to three wide, bid with five sixteenths to go, led as an outer rival challenged nearing the lane, got headed by that one in upper stretch yet fought on gamely, sparred between horses in the final furlong and narrowly missed. | F Prat 55.3kg 0.10L | 2 (6) |
| Saratoga 04-Sep-23 1810m GOOD R3 CL $29,900 (of $149,500) Barrier 1, Winning Time: 01:48.640 saved ground on the first turn, was well placed just off the pace, came under urging in the two path on the far turn, was driven three wide into the stretch, pursued the winner in the drive and earned the place. | J Castellano 56.2kg 2.75L | 2 (6) |
| Monmouth Park 23-Jul-23 1673m FIRM R14 CLMd $36,226 (of $57,500) Barrier 5, Winning Time: 01:42.000 Track ins, rally 3w | J Castellano 55.8kg | 1 (7) |
| Saratoga 14-Aug-22 1408m FIRM R9 Race 9 (of $105,000) Barrier 2, Winning Time: 01:22.940 spotted the leaders multiple lengths while subtly losing balance at the start, raced far back along the inside, took the turn in the three to four path, swung to the seven path entering the lane, but lacked a rally. | J Rosario 54kg 21.00L | 7 (10) |