Betting the Aug. 24 stakes at Parx Racing

Stakes races on a Tuesday? It’s not an everyday occurrence, but Parx will offer racing fans a special treat with a trio of competitive stakes this afternoon.

Four stakes were originally carded, but because of inclement weather, the Parx Dash S. (G3) has been postponed to Aug. 31.

The three remaining stakes are all part of the Midweek Bet Back offer from TwinSpires, and bettors can receive refunds on win wagers (up to $10) if their horse finishes second in select races at Parx.

Let’s play along with the Midweek Bet Back and throw in a trio of $10 exacta plays for good measure.

Race 8: Parx Summer Sprint S. (six furlongs, 4:09 p.m. ET)

#1 Beren (3-1) misfired when he finished last in the 1 1/8-mile Curlin S. at Saratoga last month, but that was only his second route run, and he got burned up pressing a solid pace.

Beren previously won three straight stakes, most notably a dominating effort in Belmont Park’s seven-furlong Paradise Creek S.

Beren figures to rebound with a drop in class and distance for the Summer Sprint. If he brings his "A" game, the rest might be running for second place.

Kentucky shipper #6 Privet Moon (8-5) can battle with recent Parx allowance winner #4 Heart Rhythm (4-1) to round out the exacta.

$10 to win on #1 Beren
$5 exacta: 1 with 4,6 ($10)

Race 9: Cathryn Sophia S. (one mile and 70 yards, 4:42 p.m. ET)

Since reigning champion two-year-old filly #5 Vequist (3-1) is a scratch, only a half-dozen sophomore fillies will start in this two-turn dirt route.

The most accomplished is clearly #4 Leader of the Band (4-1), who rallied boldly to win the 1 1/16-mile Monmouth Oaks (G3) by two lengths last month.

A versatile filly, capable of winning with multiple running styles, Leader of the Band is a formidable threat for jockey/trainer duo Frankie Pennington and John Servis, who have four wins from seven starts (43%) together over the last two months.

#1 Marion Francis (9-2) and #3 Lovely Ride (7-2), fourth and fifth in the Indiana Oaks (G3) last month, haven’t run quite as fast as Leader of the Band from a Brisnet Speed rating perspective, but they are logical choices to complete the exacta.

$10 to win on #4 Leader of the Band
$5 exacta: 4 with 1,3 ($10)

Race 11: Smarty Jones S. (G3, post time 5:50 p.m. ET)

I’m not sure why #6 Fulsome (8-5) failed to bring best in the Indiana Derby (G3) last month, when he rallied belatedly to finish a distant third, but I know Fulsome is capable at this level.

The son of Into Mischief previously won three straight races (including two stakes) comfortably and even produced a powerful 111 Brisnet Late Pace rating to beat Kentucky Derby (G1) alumni O Besos and Helium in the Matt Winn S. (G3).

There is plenty of speed in this field, so Fulsome should receive a fair pace to enhance his late rally.

A win bet will be our first order of business, followed by an exacta, with #7 Alonzo (6-1) and #9 Ridin With Biden (7-2) for the runner-up spot.

$10 to win on #6 Fulsome
$5 exacta: 6 with 7,9 ($10)

Good luck!