How to bet the Jersey Shore Stakes

Recent Woody Stephens S. (G1) star #3 Book’em Danno (3-5) is a towering presence in Friday’s $100,000 Jersey Shore S. at Monmouth Park, and trying to defeat him seems ambitious. The genuine Derek Ryan trainee has won five of his seven career races to date, with a pair of runner-up finishes to his credit as well, and he will be tough in his second run since coming back from Saudi Arabia. 

Jersey Shore Wagers:

$30 exacta 3 with 6 ($30)
$1 exacta 6 with all ($5)

By Bucchero, the gelding has yet to be defeated while sprinting, and his latest performance was arguably his best one yet. He broke from the rail in a big field at Saratoga last time, tracked a ridiculous early pace, and put in a decisive move in early stretch to open up an insurmountable lead en route to achieving his first Grade 1 trophy. The New Jersey-bred sophomore can run from anywhere in a race and still perform at a high level, and he will have Samuel Marin in the controls for the first time. 

#6 Little Ni (4-1) hasn’t been challenged from a trio of lifetime races to date for trainer Eddie Owens, which includes two facile wins on the course as of late. The gray son of Mohaymen has been displaying big early speed, as well as coming home in swift fashion, and the gelding is surely deserving of this stakes chance. He received a fine draw on the outside of the swift field to give pilot Jairo Rendon options in the early stages of the heat, and I truly feel that the Kentucky-bred doesn’t need the lead in order to run big. 

The main contender to Book'em Danno will surely be fit following four morning workouts in preparation for his black-type bow, and this barn is having a fine meeting with a 30% current win rate, too. I envision a scenario where the talented three-year-old sits just off of dueling leaders early and makes his move approaching the turn for home. For those looking outside the box for the multis, he wouldn’t be an awful inclusion if the heavy favorite fails to fire.