Betting with, and against, Beyond Brilliant in the Whittingham Stakes

The $225,000 Charles Whittingham S. (G2) is one of four graded stakes events carded at Santa Anita on Saturday. The 1 1/4-mile turf endeavor attracted a solid field of seven, led by morning-line choice #7 Beyond Brilliant (9-5).

Trained by John Shirreffs, the son of Twirling Candy elevated his game to a new level when focusing on turf racing during the second half of 2021. The $200,000 purchase ran big in three successive graded tilts on the weeds, led by a victory in the Hollywood Derby (G1) at Del Mar in November. The four-year-old colt came off the shelf to finish a close fourth in the Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G1) in March after leading to deep stretch before being outkicked in the final yards.

Beyond Brilliant will likely be on the front end early on despite drawing widest of all, and while he has never run this far on the green, the bay colt is proven at nine furlongs and gives the impression of a horse that will be able to carry his speed another panel. Victor Espinoza retains the mount.

#6 Masteroffoxhounds (2-1) is proven on the course and at the distance following a tally in the San Marcos S. (G2) at Santa Anita in 2021. Trained by Richard Baltas, the War Front five-year-old has kept excellent company since arriving in the U. S., and the well-bred sort has versatility in his running style, which will aid him under jockey Juan Hernandez, as well. The win contender had an excellent prep for Saturday with an allowance second at one mile on the surface most recently, a race that was surely intended to give him additional fitness for Saturday’s event.

#1 Gregdar (15-1) intrigues me at a big number for the exotics from the rail. The Graydar five-year-old has run a trio of 6 1/2-furlong sprints on the turf at the meeting this campaign, and though stretching out to 1 1/4 miles on this occasion seems ambitious, I simply don’t question the moves made by conditioner Phil D’Amato. The Kentucky-bred five-year-old ran well going long in 2021, and he is certainly worth using at his morning-line price with Ryan Curatolo in the stirrups.

Beyond Brilliant – With

• $8 superfecta: 7 with 6 with 1 with all ($32)
• $4 superfecta: 7 with 6 with all with 1 ($16)

Beyond Brilliant – Against

• $5 trifecta: 6 with 7 with all ($25)
• $3 superfecta: 6 with 7 with 1 with all ($12)
• $2 superfecta: 6 with 7 with all with 1 ($8)