How to bet the Untapable Stakes

A compact but talented field of two-year-old fillies will vie in Saturday’s $100,000 Untapable S. at Fair Grounds. Second-time starter #5 Legadema (3-1) ran off to a convincing debut score at Churchill Downs in a 5 1/2-furlong dash at Churchill Downs on November 23, and the Arrogate filly will be the one to catch and beat while making her route debut on Saturday. 

Untapable Wagers

• $20 win #5 Legadema ($20)
• $20 exacta 5 with 6 ($20)
• $12 exacta 5 with 1 ($12)
• $2 trifecta key 5 with 1,2,6 ($12)

Conditioned by Phil Bauer, the pricey $590,000 yearling purchase came home in fairly swift fashion in her first offering and gives me the impression of a miss who will prosper on the stretch out against this field. She lands in a cast that lacks a plethora of early foot to say the least, and the gray will take command soon after the start en route to her second straight triumph. Martin Garcia retains the ride. 

I’ve had a hard time separating the Brad Cox duo in the group and will include both in the exotics. #6 West Omaha (5-2) made a big late rally to just miss in her debut offering prior to leading throughout in a commanding maiden special weight victory most recently at Churchill Downs, with both affairs being held at seven-eighths. The West Coast homebred has shown the ability to run well from both on and off the early tempo, and the transition to two-turn racing should be an easy one for her, as well. I expect the dark bay to track the pace from second in the early going with Joel Rosario inheriting the ride. 

#1 Alpine Princess (3-1) was not super impressive in an allowance score in an off-the-turf tilt beneath the Twin Spires last time out, but the Cox pupil looks like a true route horse who will benefit from saving ground on the rail throughout. The $190,000 daughter of Classic Empire has a good foundation under her and will be asked for her best approaching the turn for home with Florent Geroux riding. 

I will also dabble with #2 Band of Gold (8-1) for Kenny McPeek. The $70,000 weanling acquisition was both green and game when running down a clear leader in a debut tally at one-mile, and improvement will put her in the mix for a top-three finish with Brian Hernandez, Jr. taking the reins.