How to bet the I’m Smokin Stakes

A compact field of six California-bred juveniles will speed six furlongs on the Del Mar dirt in Friday’s $100,000 I’m Smokin S. 

I’m Smokin Wager

• $10 exacta key box 6 with 1,2 ($40)

The wild card for me in the field is #6 Bodacious from the barn of Jorge Periban. 

By Smokem, the two-year-old was a superb debut winner at Santa Anita in the spring when registering a 102 Brisnet Speed figure. He has gone unplaced in two races in the interim, but he has had legitimate excuses for each of those encounters. 

In the Bashford Manor S. at Churchill Downs in June, the colt dueled on the front end before giving way on the turn for home while facing open foes. In the recent Graduation S. while making his local debut, the bargain $7,000 purchase had a tough trip from the early going and gave way in the lane. The February foal has posted two strong morning drills in the interim, and the outside post seems ideal to match his running style. I’ll use him in the first and second slots with Tyler Baze in the silks. 

#2 R Heisman has been first or second in each of his four career outings and is the one to beat for Peter Miller. The son of Far From Over ran down a clear one in the Graduation S. on Aug. 9 and looms large in his second go over the surface following a trio of solid morning drills as of late. Juan Hernandez will guide the versatile colt and have him in striking range for the duration of the dash. 

The Phil D’Amato-trained #1 Shea Brennan broke slowest in his unveiling on the strip July 26, but the homebred son of Tough Sunday made up for his tardy begging with a powerful closing run en route to victory under today’s rider Kyle Frey, earning a strong 86 Brisnet Speed figure. While the April foal received another tricky post draw on this occasion, the chestnut seems talented enough to overcome it once again. A gate drill in his latest morning move might have the nice prospect more alert from the outset.