How to bet the Mucho Macho Man Stakes

January 2nd, 2025

A really nice field of nine sophomores will travel over a one-turn mile on the Gulfstream Park main strip in Saturday’s $165,000 Mucho Macho Man S. There are numerous intriguing prospects in the cast, as well as a bevy of early speed, and I have to think that the winner will come from off of the pressured early tempo. 

Mucho Macho Man Wagers

  • $20 win #5 Cool Intentions ($20)
  • $3 exacta key box 5 with 1,3,4 ($18)
  • 50-cent trifecta 5 with 1,3,4 with all ($10.50)

#5 Cool Intentions has been first or second in each of his trio of lifetime runs to date and fits the profile of a colt who will prosper from the swift early splits in the contest. Trained by Jorge Delgado, the $285,000 yearling purchase broke his maiden powerfully while traveling eight panels on the surface two back, which preceded a fine allowance score when the bay earned a massive 108 Brisnet Late Pace number. I am impressed with the progression this one has shown leading up to Saturday, and he will be fit and ready following a quick half-mile morning work most recently. David Egan will pilot the talented Kentucky-bred. 

#4 Treaty of Rome, one of two in the field for conditioner Chad Brown, closed well in his maiden-breaking effort at Aqueduct and has appeal from off the pace under Dylan Davis. The son of the late Uncle Mo is a full brother to a graded heroine who was very precocious, and the bay could be following in her footsteps. He will need to move forward against this crew but I expect him to do so with Dylan Davis taking the reins. 

The Jose D’Angelo-trained #1 Guns Loaded earned a hefty 98 Speed figure when breaking his maiden at Churchill Downs second time out and will surely be a major threat with even minor improvement in his initial try with winners. The $800,000 son of Gun Runner stretches out from six furlongs to the one-mile distance for the first time, and he is cut out to handle the move with ease. The dark bay being assigned the rail in a field with ample early foot is a major concern, but he likely has the talent to overcome adversity with Luis Saez in the irons. 

#3 McKellen, also from the D’Angelo shedrow, was a debut winner on the course before running well when second in a Churchill allowance heat last time out. The $50,000 yearling purchase hasn’t done much wrong to this stage of his development, and the son of McKinzie will be moving into contention as the cast approaches the turn for home beneath Irad Ortiz, Jr. 

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