Saturday plays: Key rising star in Haskell Stakes

Extra Anejo faces a couple of unknowns in the Grade 1, $1 million Haskell Stakes at Monmouth on Saturday. Nevertheless, the talented son of Into Mischief brings tactical speed and looks capable of breaking through at this level for trainer Steve Asmussen and Winchell Thoroughbreds.

Even with minor reservations, Extra Anejo will act as the key to the daily double below, which includes three selections from the Grade 1, $600,000 United Nations Stakes as well. As a bonus, the post also includes a bet for the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) at Saratoga.

Monmouth race 11: United Nations Stakes (G1)

Both Limited Liability and Yamato were pace compromised when attempting to close in the Louisville Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs, as the half-mile went in 52.48 seconds and the one-mile fraction ended up as a sluggish 1:45.31.

Limited Liability grinded his way to second in the stretch with clear sailing, while Yamato took a more complicated route to fourth through the inside. Both runners can rebound in this spot with a more reasonable pace scenario.

Catnip also makes the ticket after putting together a three-race win streak. The gelded son of Kitten’s Joy won the local Monmouth Stakes (G3) last month with a nice late surge and figures to enjoy the stretchout to 12 furlongs given his sire. Joel Rosario is a plus too.

United Nations/Haskell double: 3,5,7 with 7

Monmouth race 12: Haskell Stakes (G1)

Extra Anejo lacks nine-furlong and graded-stakes experience. But unless the public goes crazy, he will not start as the favorite in this race, which makes it easier to overlook those two shortcomings in his form.

His raw talent became apparent right off the bat when he broke his maiden by 9 1/2 lengths at Keeneland last October.

Extra Anejo went on the shelf after that race and ended up losing his return with a closing second in an optional claiming race at Churchill Downs on the Derby undercard. The distance was probably too short for him.

In his second start off the bench though, Extra Anejo brought back the flash from his 2-year-old career debut with an easy 6 1/4-length win in a one-mile Ellis Park optional claimer. Seventeen lengths separated the runner-up Tall Boy and third-place Classic Legacy, which made the win look even more impressive.   

Extra Anejo earned a 119 TimeformUS Speed Figure. To capture the Haskell, he only needs to move forward slightly on that scale.

Given his raw talent and speed to stay close to Arabian Knight early on, Extra Anejo is the single in doubles and playable to win as well.

Win: 7 (7-2 or longer)

Saratoga race 9: Coaching Club American Oaks (G1)

Gambling Girl usually hits her best stride in nine-furlong races.

For example, Gambling Girl closed for third by one length in the Demoiselle Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct last December, before also running second to Occult in the Busanda Stakes at the same distance and track a month later.

In more recent times, Gambling Girl finished a closing second in the Gazelle Stakes (G3) while only losing by half a length to Promiseher America. She then closed well for second again in the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs. Gambling Girl only lost the Kentucky Oaks by a neck to Pretty Mischievous, who is the division leader.

Gambling Girl only needs to finish the race off this time. Note that both Hoosier Philly and the morning line favorite Wet Paint lack nine-furlong wins. Wet Paint even regressed at nine furlongs in the Kentucky Oaks.

Those playing Gambling Girl also receive the services of jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. Rarely does the Irad Ortiz Jr. and Todd Pletcher combination offer value to bettors, but Gambling Girl might end up ignored with Hoosier Philly and Wet Paint entered while carrying higher reputations.

If Gambling Girl’s odds float up, she is playable.

Win: 4 (at 7-2 or longer)