Betting With, and Against, Golden Gamble in the Untapable Stakes

An octet of two-year-old fillies will travel two turns on the Fair Grounds main strip in Saturday’s $100,000 Untapable S. Dominant maiden heroine #4 Golden Gamble (5-2) is the morning-line choice off the strength of her nine-length romp at Churchill Downs second time out for conditioner Kenny McPeek. The $200,000 Laoban filly ran well when a closing third in her unveiling beneath the Twin Spires and moved forward second out when sitting closer to the early pace. Brian Hernandez, Jr. retains the ride atop the smart prospect. 

Golden Gamble – With

• $5 trifecta key 4 with 3,5,8 with all ($30)
• $1 trifecta 4 with 3,5,8 with all ($18)

Golden Gamble – Against

• $2 superfecta box 3,4,5,8 ($48) 

I feel that the most intriguing contender outside of the favorite is Canadian invader #8 Drexel Hill (8-1), who will make her first run on the dirt in her initial attempt for trainer Whit Beckman. The dark bay daughter of Bolt d’Oro broke her maiden with authority following two second-place runs earlier in the season, and the Kentucky-bred could be any kind while making her local bow. The $50,000 yearling purchase has posted three solid morning moves on the surface in preparation for Saturday and has to be given a chance at a price beneath Jaime Torres. 

Beckman’s #3 Her Laugh (6-1) is another wildcard in the cast. This Practical Joke chestnut was a courageous debut winner in a sprint affair and could be any kind going two turns for the first time. The April foal is bred to like the distance and has the early foot to be in range throughout with Axel Concepcion taking the reins. I expect the win threat to force the pace from second to the top of the lane at a fair price in her second career engagement. 

#5 California Sunset (9-2) was quite game in her maiden win under the Twin Spires in her first route attempt and gets a look in this one for the ever-dangerous Brad Cox. The Quality Road homebred comes in fresh with some solid morning drills as of late, and the bay will likely be doing her best work from off the pace beneath regular pilot Florent Geroux. She wouldn’t be a big surprise for a barn that has been dominant with juveniles in 2024.