Exotics Plays for the 2023 Sycamore Stakes

An overflow field of 16 turf stayers will travel 1 1/2 miles on the Keeneland lawn in Friday’s $300,000 Sycamore S. (G3). The well-matched cast attracted numerous accomplished runners in what looks like a fascinating betting endeavor. I’ll center my plays around multiple contenders in the feature. 

Sycamore Exotics

• $5 exacta key box 11 with 1,3,12 ($30)
• $2 exacta box 1,3,11,12 ($24)
• $.50-cent trifecta box 1,3,11,12 ($12)

The Shug McGaughey-trained #11 Limited Liability (8-1) has put in a pair of very good runs since moving to extended trips on the lawn as of late and gets a lot of interest from this corner. By Kitten’s Joy, the colt was a very good runner-up in the Louisville S. (G3) two back beneath the Twin Spires, which preceded an even fourth in the United Nations S. (G1) at Monmouth Park last time out. The four-year-old Stuart Janney homebred makes just his second run since May, and fourth overall this campaign, and he boasts a sterling two-for-two mark on the Keeneland lawn, as well. John Velazquez will pilot the late runner. 

#3 Bold Act (7-2) figures to be a menacing figure in his first try in the States for conditioner Charlie Appleby. The sophomore son of New Approach has solid form coming into the event and runs for an outfit with a high percentage when bringing runners to the U.S. in general. The Godolphin homebred will have Jamie Spencer in the stirrups, which is an obvious plus too. 

Chad Brown’s #1 Highest Honors (8-1) has not won since February 2022, but the capable son of Tapit is well drawn on the rail, and he also will don blinkers for the initial time. The seven-year-old gray has hit the board in three of his four prior engagements at the distance, and if the equipment change moves him forward, then the Kentucky bred will be in the mix late after finishing a close third in the contest in 2023. Flavien Prat will be in the controls. 

Grade 3 winner #12 Foreign Relations (30-1) is something of a flier in the field but worth including at boxcar odds. The gelded son of Karakontie finished well in his lone prior try on the oval, he is a graded winner at the distance, and the chestnut also lands in a field with numerous early types that will aid his late kick in the stretch, too. He is relatively lightly raced and not without a chance under the guidance of Julien Leparoux.