Aqueduct: How to bet the 2023 New York Stallion Stakes

Ten sophomore fillies bred in the Empire State will run 6 1/2 furlongs on the Aqueduct dirt in Sunday’s $200,000 New York Stallion S. (Park Avenue Division). I will side with the Brad Cox-trained #6 Midtown Lights for the top prize in the well-matched field. 

Second in her lone stakes attempt to date, the chestnut filly has been consistently good in five straight following an unplaced debut showing on the lawn in September. The $150,000 two-year-old purchase has been first or second in each of her four assignments on the Aqueduct main oval, and she comes off of a smart allowance tilt in her first run over a fast track. 

Redesdale filly has a fine turn of foot and lands in a speedy cast, so I envision her receiving an advantageous voyage throughout while stalking the tempo to the top of the lane. I feel that the cut back in distance from one mile is also a benefit. Manny Franco retains the mount.

Two-time stakes heroine #4 Les Bon Temps is the class of the field and the potential one to beat for conditioner Linda Rice. Laoban filly ran into a buzzsaw when third in the East View S. most recently, though the bay had been first or second in a trio of black-type runs on the course prior to that affair. The $65,000 yearling purchase will be forwardly placed beneath Jose Ortiz. 

I have liked the improvement shown of late by #1 Clover Street for conditioner Mark Hennig and will tab her for a minor award at a fair price. The daughter of Teuflesberg has taken to the addition of blinkers well and exits a big maiden win on the oval in her latest performance. This is a fairly big class rise for the bay, but I expect her to move forward in her third run off the layoff with Trevor McCarthy in the stirrups. 

New York Stallion Stakes Wagers

• $15 win and place #6 Midtown Lights ($30)
• $5 exacta 6 with 1,4 ($10)
• 50-cent trifecta 6 with 1,4 with all ($8)