Betting with, and against, Joe in the Federico Tesio Stakes

A total of nine three-year-olds will go nine furlongs on the Laurel Park dirt in Saturday’s $125,000 Federico Tesio S. The winner of the 1 1/8-mile test will receive an automatic berth into the Preakness S. (G1) at Pimlico on May 21.

#4 Joe (5-2) is the one to beat for conditioner Michael Trombetta. The 2021 Maryland Juvenile Championship S. victor has been in fine form since moving to the dirt in his second lifetime start, reeling off a trio of wins prior to his solid second-place run in the Private Terms S. most recently. By Declaration of War, the Maryland-bred bay possesses an affinity for the surface as well as a big turn of foot, and his best performance will make the colt hard to upend on Saturday.

#1 Vine Jet (6-1) has gotten sharp this campaign and rates a big chance while in a very good form cycle for trainer John Dunn. The gelded son of Red Vine has clearly appreciated routing as of late, and the Keystone State-bred sophomore seems more than ready to tackle 1 1/8 miles for the initial time in his career. The chestnut is well placed on the rail and will track the tempo while never too far back under Abner Adorno.

The wild card in the cast is #9 Secret Alliance (10-1), who could be the controlling speed of the race. Trained by John Servis, the gelded son of Curlin broke through in the maiden ranks last time out while showing big early foot, and the Kentucky-bred fired a bullet in his most recent morning move. Frankie Pennington will pilot the likely pacesetter.

Jerome S. runner-up #7 Smarten Up (9-2) has run two very good ones in succession at Parx, and the chestnut son of American Freedom will run on Lasix for the initial time for conditioner Alfredo Velazquez. The Florida-bred will stalk the action from the second flight beneath Angel Cruz.

Joe – With

• $10 exacta 4 with 1,7,9 ($30)
• $3 trifecta key 4 with 1,7,9 ($18)

Joe – Against

• $1 trifecta 1 with 4,7,9 with all ($21)
• .50-cent trifecta 1,7,9 with 1,7,9 with all ($21)