How to bet the Salvator Mile Stakes

A field of eight will go one mile on the Monmouth Park dirt in Saturday’s $150,000 Salvator Mile S. (G3). At first glance, it appeared Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) winner #2 Bright Future was a cinch, but after digging deeper into his competition, I don’t feel that way at all. This is a nice field and the favorite will have to work hard at a short price to get the job done, in my opinion. 

Salvator Mile Play

50-cent superfecta 1,8 with 1,2,8 with all with all ($60)

I’ll start with Bright Future, who capped 2023 by making a belated run to fall 3 3/4 lengths short in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Santa Anita. The later developing five-year-old is obviously an excellent talent who will surely be pointed to major races in the summer and fall, and deservedly so. Trained by Todd Pletcher, the son of Curlin won on debut and the last time he had a long absence, so he is more than capable of firing while fresh. He’s training regularly and will have Javier Castellano in the irons. 

I envision the pace of the race to be swift and contested, which might aid a few of the off-the-pace contenders. I’m not certain if the Tampa surface did the trick, or if #1 Sherlock’s Jewel has thrived with the move to the dirt in general, but I like this one, nonetheless. Trained by Shug McGaughey, the son of Lea finished a solid second in the Challenger S. (G3) behind Skippylongstocking most recently and is perfectly perched on the rail for this endeavor. He surely will need a move forward to beat this group, but he has never been better and is worth a chance under Cheminaud. 

#8 Coastal Mission is a bit underrated and looms a danger in this spot at an expected nice price. The Jeff Runco charge is 12-for-20 in his career, and I feel that he has run well with excuses in his defeats as of late. The Great Notion gelding was an even fourth in the Maryland S. going six panels at Pimlico last time out which will serve as a nice prep for this outing. While I’m never overly ambitious with horses traveling wide throughout on the Monmouth main strip, the gray figures to be in a prime spot approaching the turn for home under Bocachica, and he’s good enough to win the race on his best day.