Betting With, and Against, Denim and Pearls in the Martha Washington Stakes

A nice field of nine three-year-old fillies will travel 1 1/16 miles at Oaklawn Park in Saturday’s $250,000 Martha Washington S. The affair is led by the Brad Cox-trained #8 Denim and Pearls (6-5), who finished a clear runner-up in the Year’s End S. on the oval in her latest offering. 

Denim and Pearls – With

• $11 exacta 8 with 2,6,9 ($33)
• $3 trifecta key 8 with 2,6,9 ($18)

Denim and Pearls – Against

• 50-cent trifecta 2,6,9 with 2,6,8,9 with all ($31.50)
• $1 trifecta 2,6,9 with 2,6,8,9 with 2,6,8,9 ($18)

By leading sire Into Mischief, the $500,000 yearling purchase aced the first pair of lifetime tries in her career prior to her stakes second most recently, and the filly is the clear one to beat against this field. The Kentucky-bred bay possesses solid early speed combined with a nice turn of foot, and she will surely receive a good voyage from this post slot under the guidance of Florent Geroux. 

I feel that the D. Wayne Lukas-trained #6 Saratoga Secret (15-1) will be a major contender while making her two-turn debut on Saturday. Second in the Schuylerville (G3) following a nice debut win in the summer, the daughter of Arrogate is bred for the trip, and she also gave a decent account of herself in a nice allowance try on the course in her latest appearance, too. 

The gray Kentucky bred figures to display a lot of early interest on the stretch out in distance in this contest, and I expect the longshot to be in a challenging spot at the top of the lane at a big number. Ramon Vazquez will be in the stirrups. 

#9 In Good Taste (8-1) has delivered a pair of good efforts to begin her career led by a solid maiden victory on the oval most recently. Trained by Brad Cox, the Tapiture homebred held off a nice prospect en route to a tally last time out, and she will be a factor late if not left with too much to do turning for home. Martin Chuan retains the ride aboard the dark bay sophomore. 

#2 Band of Gold (20-1) faced much better at Fair Grounds in her second lifetime performance and I’m willing to give her another chance against this field. The Kenny McPeek pupil was very game in scoring at first asking at Churchill Downs, and she will undoubtedly appreciate the measure of class relief on this occasion in her local debut. She offers a lot of value with Brian Hernandez, Jr. taking the reins.