Jeff Siegel’s “What You Need to Know.”
Sunday, July 2, 2023
(listed in chronological order)
Ellis Park – 5th race: 5-The Wine Steward (5-1). Post time: 1:45 CT
Was knocked down to 2/5 in his racing debut at Belmont Park in late May and didn’t disappoint, easily overcoming a sluggish start from the rail to quickly rally when called upon and graduate in stylish fashion while roaring home (final furlong in :12 flat) before galloping out full of run. From the first crop of Vino Rosso, this $340,000 OBS March purchase should get nothing but better with distance and experience, and with an extra furlong to compliment his style in this year’s edition of the Bashford Manor Stakes the Michael Maker-trained juvenile should be along in plenty of time. Listed as the second choice at 3-1 on the morning line, he offers superior value in the straight pool and as a rolling exotic single.
*
Monmouth Park – 8th race: 7-Under the Overpass (5/2). Post time: 3:55 ET
Was supposed to be a good thing in his debut at Pimlico in late May (4/5 favorite) but wound up third (beaten a neck) in a very promising performance that should have netted a diploma. The son of Malibu Moon broke poorly and trailed early in the four and one-half furlong dash, commenced his rally in traffic on the turn, angled out for clearly sailing in the final stages to close resolutely before simply running out of ground. The barn has very strong stats with the second-time starter angle, so we’re expecting this well-regarded juvenile to step forward considerably with a race under his belt and an extra half furlong to work with. At 5/2 on the morning line, he’s a strong win play and rolling exotic single in a race in which the first timers don’t look like anything special.
*
Belmont Park – 9th race: 3-Wardeya (5/2). Post time: 5:20 ET
Here’s a lightly raced, superbly bred filly with an improving pattern stretching out to a mini-marathon trip that appears set for a diploma-earning performance. In the frame in both starts over a middle distance, the Todd Pletcher-trained four-year-old finished second in her most recent start in a fast, highly rated affair won by Gloria’s Princess, who franked the from by winning on the raise in her next start. In a race that seems likely to produce soft splits, the daughter of Tapit projects to draft into an ideal early stalking position and then have clear sailing and every chance when the pressure is turned on. There’s good value to be found in the win pool and in the various rolling exotics at or near her morning line of 5/2.
