in the lead

leading or ahead in a competition

• “the horse was three lengths ahead going into the home stretch”
• “ahead by two pawns”
• “our candidate is in the lead in the polls”
• “way out front in the race”
• “the advertising campaign put them out front in sales”

having the leading position or higher score in a contest

• “he is ahead by a pawn”
• “the leading team in the pennant race”