How to bet the Sorority Stakes

A field of nine will go postward in Saturday’s $200,000 Sorority S. at Monmouth Park. The two-turn race at one mile on the main strip didn’t attract the deepest cast of all time, but it looks like a competitive event nonetheless. 

Sorority Wagers

• $20 win #3 Yellow ($20)
• $5 trifecta key 3 with 1,7 ($10)
• $5 trifecta 1,7 with 3 with 1,7 ($10)

#3 Yellow was second in a dirt dash at Aqueduct on July 4 and will stretch out in distance in her stakes debut in this spot. Trained by Todd Pletcher, the dark bay brought $225,000 as a yearling and was sent off at odds of 3-4 at first asking, but she was no match behind a fine winner after showing big speed from the gate in the 5 1/2-furlong heat. By Bernardini, the March foal has trained well in the interim, and I like the aggressive placement to put her in with stakes foes off the shelf. 

The Repole color-bearer is a half sister to 2023 Chandelier S. (G2) queen Chatalas, who was very precocious, and Yellow should follow in her footsteps. Jairo Rendon inherits the mount and will likely send early and have the filly first or second going into the first turn.

#7 Social Fortress was excellent in her debut at Delaware Park when leading at every call en route to an 11-length romp. The Joseph Imbesi homebred has a trio of swift half-mile morning drills in anticipation for this event, two of which were bullet moves, and she runs for a trainer who is strong with horses running a route of ground for the initial time. 

The Social Inclusion filly is bred to handle this trip and draws outside of her main foe as well the other pace in the field, so she figures to receive a nice voyage with Jaime Rodriguez taking the reins. 

#1 Vino Limone has top-three appeal to me. The chestnut daughter of Vino Rosso rallied from well back to take down a maiden claiming field at 5 1/2 panels on this oval, and the Kentucky-bred is surely built to handle eight furlongs. While the Kelly Breen pupil takes what would normally be a major class hike, the filly lands in a winnable spot and might offer good value with Melissa Iorio in the stirrups.