2023 Mucho Macho Man Stakes Value Play

A full field of 12 newly-turned sophomores will travel one-mile on the Gulfstream Park dirt in Sunday’s $150,000 Mucho Macho Man S. The one-turn feature lacks a clear standout while boasting numerous intriguing horses in the cast, so I will search for value with my top selection in the attractive betting event.

#3 Baby Billy (20-1) is still a maiden following a trio of tries to date, but the talented three-year-old has performed well in all of his sprint endeavors and seems poised to thrive with the added distance on Sunday. Second by a head in his first pair of assignments at Churchill Downs, the son of Gormley was transferred to the barn of Jack Sisterson and recorded a third-place result on this strip following a poor break against maiden special weight foes.

The $45,000 juvenile buy has displayed a solid turn of foot from each attempt, which tells me that he will move forward in his initial route try on this occasion. Gelded Kentucky-bred draws well near the rail to save ground in the early going, and I love that he put in a pair of local morning moves in anticipation of his second outing on the surface, too. Picking up pilot Joel Rosario adds to his appeal.

#1 Legacy Isle (9-2) has dusted two fields in succession on the course to begin his career for conditioner Rohan Crichton. The $210,000 son of Shackleford handled the move to eight panels with ease in his latest performance when rallying to a three-length allowance tally, and any improvement off of that showing will give him a serious chance from the inside post. Emisael Jaramillo will be in the silks once again.

#8 Mr Bob (5-1) was a sharp maiden winner at Keeneland two back, prior to finishing a strong runner-up in a stakes sprint beneath the Twin Spires in his most recent endeavor. Practical Joke colt will surely be able to negotiate the move to one-mile with Irad Ortiz Jr. accepting the mount.

Rusty Arnold’s #7 Fliparino (8-1) was an eye-catching debut winner in October, which preceded a solid third-place result in the Street Sense S. (G3). By Honor Code, the Calumet homebred has trained well in preparation of his seasonal bow and will be doing his best racing from off the pace as an exotics contender at a fair price.

Mucho Macho Man Value Plays

• $10 win/place/show #3 Baby Billy ($30)
• $3 exacta key box 3 with 1,7,8 ($18)
• 50-cent trifecta box 1,3,7,8 ($12)