Betting With, and Against, Hoosier Philly in the Rachel Alexandra Stakes

A talented field of six sophomore fillies will go 1 1/16 miles on the Fair Grounds main surface in the $300,000 Rachel Alexandra S. (G2) on Saturday. The dynamic #2 Hoosier Philly (6-5) will be a short-priced favorite in the field for conditioner Tom Amoss, and deservedly so. The Into Mischief filly decimated three fields in succession as a two-year-old, capped by a waltz in the Golden Rod S. (G2), and she has been training in swift fashion in advance of her 2023 unveiling.

The $510,000 yearling purchase has enough early speed to stay in touch with her foes, combined with a potent turn of foot in the stretch to put them away late, and I don’t think that we have seen the best of her as of yet. Edgar Morales will retain the mount atop the impressive bay and should have her moving into the clear prior to the turn for home.

#5 Pretty Mischievous (9-2) was once-beaten during her four-race juvenile season and capped 2022 with a decisive victory in the Untapable S. here. Conditioned by Brendan Walsh, the Godolphin homebred proved to be capable of handling a route of ground most recently when trouncing a subsequent stakes heroine, and seems set for a big run in her first off the break for a solid layoff conditioner. The daughter of Into Mischief is tactical and Tyler Gaffalione will never be far back with her.

I expect #1 Vahva (8-1) to benefit from receiving the rail spot for jockey Luis Saez. Trained by Cherie DeVaux, the bay daughter of Gun Runner has displayed plenty of potential to this stage of her development and gets a pass for her flat showing when a distant third in the Untapable S. to conclude her juvenile season. She is cut out to love a route of ground, and the $280,000 yearling buy has the running style to save ground and make a run in the lane to grab a share.

Hoosier Philly – With

• $30 exacta: 2 with 5 ($30)
• $15 trifecta: 2 with 5 with 1 ($15)

Hoosier Philly – Against

• $30 exacta: 5 with 2 ($30)
• $7 exacta: 5 with 1 ($7)
• $3 trifecta: key 5 with 1, 2 ($6)