2023 Tepin Stakes Exotics Plays

The finale on a huge day of racing at Ellis Park on Saturday will see nine sophomore fillies run one mile on the turf in the $225,000 Tepin S. I successfully tabbed the Brad Cox-trained #3 Heavenly Sunday in her Edgewood S. (G2) upset last time out and will use the talented filly as a key in my wagers against this field once again.

By Candy Ride, the three-year-old miss has never run a bad one in her lifetime while boasting a 5-3-0-2 career mark, with each of those engagements coming on the lawn. Following a pair of smart wins to begin her career, the dark bay finished third in both the Sweetest Chant S. (G3) at Gulfstream Park and Appalachian S. (G3) at Keeneland, prior to registering her first graded win last time out. She was expertly handled by pilot Florent Geroux in that outing and is facing arguably a softer field in this spot. Heavenly Sunday will be among the pace from the start.

Stakes heroine #7 Girl Named Charlie was close to the speed last time out before fading to fifth in the Regret S. (G3), but she rates as a major exotics piece if she reverts to her late-running style against this field. The Tom Amoss trainee was just 2 3/4 lengths shy of the top pick in the Edgewood, and she possesses the closing punch to get closer on Saturday with her best showing. The Maclean’s Music filly put in a nice half-mile drill on the green in advance of this and will have Edgar Morales in the silks.

I have a hunch that #1 Sandra D could make some noise in the event at a big price. Trained by Steve Margolis, the Mor Spirit filly graduated in her first route attempt on the dirt last time out, and she didn’t run bad two back in a grassy dash while making her turf debut. The Kentucky-bred is from a productive turf family, and she has been training in swift fashion this campaign. David Cohen will be in the irons and will have the top-three contender saving ground throughout the affair.

#4 Wonderfull Lady rallied well in the stretch to defeat allowance foes beneath the Twin Spires in her second try since arriving in the states for conditioner Brendan Walsh. The French-bred daughter of Almanzor will need to move forward to challenge for the top prize, but she can surely peak in her third try of 2023 with Tyler Gaffalione in the controls. She will be unhurried early and make one run in the lane.

Tepin Exotics Plays

$16 exacta: 3 with 7 ($16)

$8 exacta: 3 with 1,4 ($16)

$2 trifecta: key 3 with 1,4,7 ($12)

$.30-cent superfecta: 3 with 1,4,7 with 1,4,7 with all ($10.80)