Monday's Best Bet: Mucho flexes muscles in Chesapeake Stakes
Monday’s 8th race from Colonial Downs is the $100,000 Chesapeake Stakes for three-year-olds and up dashing six furlongs on the main track (Post Time 5:01 p.m. ET).
#5 MUCHO (3-1) showed improved early interest and found his best stride in his last two stakes starts. He chased from the rail and missed by a nose in the Kelly’s Landing July 25, and chased from 2nd and prevailed by a length in the Challedon July 31. He drilled a local half-mile bullet for this Aug. 18 and must be respected in his current form.
#8 Just Might (5-2) won his last two turf sprint stakes. His lone dirt win from four outings was a sharp wire job in the off the turf Colonel Power at Fair Grounds Feb. 13. He should be up on the pace from the outside post at this speed friendly distance.
#2 Whereshetoldmetogo (7-2) captured five of his last seven starts and all five of those wins were in the stakes ranks. The versatile gelding should maintain sharp form in his third start after a layoff.
#1 Bank (12-1) stalked and scored in his last two allowance dirt sprints at Lone Star. He should save all the ground behind the speed in his first stakes attempt, and I can see him landing a share at square odds.
#4 Laki (4-1) is a veteran gelding with tactical speed and plenty of back class. He won the De Francis Dash (G3) last fall but has only scored once in eight starts since.
#6 Guest Suite (12-1) packs a decent late kick but is probably going to run out of ground at six panels. He won the Hanshin Stakes at one mile on all-weather ground at Arlington June 26, and was best of the rest in 3rd in the Good Lord Stakes at Ellis Park July 17.
#3 Tringale (12-1) pressed the pace and weakened in his first start after the claim vs. allowance foes at Parx July 26. He will probably force the issue early but is just 1-for-17 at this distance.
#7 Long Range Toddy (8-1) has not won a race since the Rebel Stakes (G2) in 2019. He likes to get into a forward position early but has not had much success with those tactics. His best recent effort by far was a strong late running place finish in the Aristides after a troubled start.
Wagers:
#5 to Win
Exacta Box 5-8
Trifecta 2-5-8/2-5-8/1
Recent Best Bet Winners
Aug. 2 - Cavalier Cupid/Rambert Exacta ($7.00), Trifecta ($22.60)
Aug. 4 - Pearl Tiara/Diamond Solitaire Exacta ($11.60)
Aug. 6 - ART COLLECTOR ($5.60), Exacta ($21.60)
Aug. 7 - Pappacap/Finneus Exacta ($27.80), Trifecta ($76.60)
Aug. 10 - LEAKY CAULDRON ($6.00), Exacta ($15.20)
Aug. 11 - ARREST ME RED ($6.10)
Aug. 16 - BULLSEYE BEAUTY ($7.20)
Aug. 17 - American Union/Unflappable Max Exacta ($7.60)
Aug. 19 - RIJEKA ($8.00)
Aug. 20 - EDGEWAY ($4.00)
Aug. 22 - Mutamakina/Etoile/Merveilleux Trifecta ($110.90)