How to bet the Summer Stakes and Natalma Stakes with Sheri Riddoch:

How to bet the Summer Stakes with Sheri Riddoch:

This year’s 2-yr-old G1 stakes that provide Breeders’ Cup berths have a different feel to them this year as for the first time they will be contested at two turns over the inner course as the E.P. Taylor course undergoes refurbishing. Interestingly, not many entrants have had a run over this course, so with questions comes opportunity and here are the ones that have piqued my curiosity:

Top Pick – Argos  8-1

Put forth a really nice effort in the Soaring Free stakes after breaking from the far outside post and travelling 3-4 wide the whole race to finish 3rd by a neck. 2-year-old son of Nyquist should appreciate the added distance and draws the rail which is advantageous on this inner grass oval. All signs point positive and Prat gives the vote of confidence sticking with him. Trainer Riley Mott recently notched his first G1 victory at Saratoga with World Beater.

He is my $20 win bet and favourite play on the card.

Wildcard – Marcus J 12-1

Ultra impressive debut winner crushing his opponents by eight lengths – over the synthetic. Questions are – can he translate that form to the inner turf course and will they use the same front running tactics as this will only be his second career start. His sire Hard Spun has a 13% win rate with routes on the grass with an Average win distance of 8.5 furlongs. Nice work in preparation being the best of 34 on Sept 6th and this owner/trainer/jockey combination won the King’s Plate with Mansetti at a juicy 18-1.

Longshot – Bill Of Ice 20-1

Lone entrant in the field that has a start and win over this course, really showing  an impressive turn of foot when he kicked into gear easily drawing away. While his Beyer of 56 may be on the low side he does have that advantage over the field of having competed over the surface and draws a nice middle post. Stablemate to Marcus J – also has Moran listed to ride so have to pay attention to where he goes, however this sibling to multiple graded stakes placed turf runner Webslinger – could catch a share under at a big price.

How to bet the Natalma Stakes with Sheri Riddoch

The female equivalent to the Summer Stakes has produced the likes of Multiple Grade 1 winner She Feels Pretty and recent Alabama victor Nitrogen. While this field looks to be more compact than the boys but doesn’t mean the opportunities are less and again none of these entrants have had a race over the surface, so worth taking a chance with a couple – here we go:

Top Pick – Dyna 10-1

Just missed in her debut when taking on the boys losing a heart-breaking photo to Awesome Connection, who came back to run a monster effort last Saturday in the  $1M Global Tote Juvenile Mile Stakes. At Kentucky Downs. She didn’t have the best trip in the Catch a Glimpse breaking from the rail, then had to switch out seven wide for a clear run coming up short as Corsia Veloce got the jump on her that day. Should appreciate the added ground along with going two turns on the inner course. Picks up a new jockey in Velazquez who was aboard  She Feels Pretty in 2023, expect a big effort form her.

$20 win bet

Wildcard – Hot Mash 6-1

Made easy work of the field on debut as the favorite sprinting on the grass at Ellis Park facing pressure the whole first half of the race before drawing away to win by nine lengths. The big question is – can she carry that speed going farther? Trainer John Servis thinks she warrants a chance as this will be his first Woodbine shipper and only his third Grade 1 entrant. She will have company with Pina Colada on the front but that didn’t seem to faze her last time. Rosario picks up the amount and is a wildcard – but man was she impressive in victory and they will need to catch her.

Longshot – Star Attraction 20-1

Nosed out Pina Colada for the victory in MSW company to graduate at second asking over the yielding going with not the flashiest Beyer number. She switches to the firm inner course and gets more ground  to work with, which may be better suited for her. Her dam is multiple G1 winner, local superstar and fan favourite Starship Jubilee who earned over $2m on the grass in her illustrious career, and happened to also be trainer by Kevin Attard. Moran keeps the call and she might be one to use under at a decent price.