Monday's Best Bet: Reconvene joins the party in Bert Allen Stakes

Monday’s 4th race from Colonial Downs is the $100,000 Bert Allen Stakes for three-year-olds and up traveling a mile and a sixteenth on the inner turf course (Post Time 3:09 p.m. ET).

#2 RECONVENE (7-2) packs a decent late kick and should get pace to chase. He got the wrong setup in his needed June 11 return at Monmouth Park, and front running winner Megacity returned to score again June 27. Paco Lopez reunites with my top choice, and he was aboard for his sharp maiden win at this distance on turf last summer. 

#3 Forloveofcountry (3-1) easily won all four dirt route starts since the Jamie Ness claim. The razor sharp gelding has won on turf before and should make his presence felt throughout. 

#5 Chess Chief (9-5) is a five-year-old with twenty five career starts, and this is his first turf attempt. He worked a local turf bullet July 14 and is reportedly using this as a prep for the Pacific Classic (G1). Look for the New Orleans Classic (G2) winner to sit back and make a late bid under Florent Geroux. 

Wagers:

#2 to win

Exacta 2-3/2-3-5

Trifecta Key 2/3-5

Recent Best Bet Winners

July 1 - MIGHTY HEART ($5.80), Exacta ($18.20), Trifecta ($59.30)
July 3 - Miles Ahead/Chance It Exacta ($39.60)
July 4 - SHE'SONTHEWARPATH ($6.80), Exacta ($10.80)
July 9 - Uyuni/Amiche/Tayet Trifecta ($976.80)
July 10 - OUR FLASH DRIVE ($4.70)
July 11 - Easy Time/Keep Grinding/Haddassah Trifecta ($432.50)