Betting With, and Against, Kinetic in the Essex Handicap

A total of seven will go postward in Saturday’s $500,000 Essex H. (G3) at Oaklawn Park. The 1 1/8-mile contest is led by the Brad Cox-trained #5 Kinetic (8-5), who captured the General MacArthur S. on this surface in his most recent endeavor. By Street Sense, the Godolphin homebred has been very consistent following an unplaced debut run in June while winning or finishing second in a handful of attempts in succession. 

Kinetic – With

• $2 trifecta key 5 with 1,2,3,4 ($24)
• $1 superfecta key 5 with 1,2,3,4 ($24)

Kinetic – Against

• $1 trifecta 1,2 with 1,2,3,4,5 with 1,2,3,4,5 ($24)
• $1 superfecta 2 with 1,5 with 1,3,4,5 with all ($24) 

A good second to stable companion Saudi Crown in the Tenacious H. at Fair Grounds two back, the four-year-old colt was game in annexing his first stakes tally last out and has trained well in the interim for a superb layoff trainer. Kinetic has always displayed a fine turn of foot in the lane, and he has been more involved in the early stages in his recent attempts, too. Christian Torres inherits the mount and will have the favorite well-placed throughout while never far back. 

#2 Maycocks Bay (2-1), also a Godolphin homebred, has run well while facing some tough foes as of late and is a logical alternative to the choice in this one. Trained by Michael Stidham, the Speightstown colt has been in very good form leading up to this and seems like the type who will appreciate the added distance on this occasion. The chestnut will face pace pressure in the contest, and if Francisco Arrieta can give him a sensible ride, then the colt will be a major player inside the final furlong. 

#1 Red Route One (15-1) might be a bit of a stretch in the race for conditioner Steve Asmussen, but he has appeal to me at a huge price, nonetheless. The five-year-old has picked up four of his five career wins on the surface leading up to this outing, he is well drawn on the fence to save ground throughout, and the Grade 2 victor will also receive a good pace set up today with a lot of early types signed on, as well. He is not overly consistent, but the Winchell homebred can be very good on his best day. Keith Asmussen will be in the stirrups. 

San Pasqual S. (G2) third #3 Tarantino (3-1) and Fifth Season S. runner-up #4 Patriot Spirit (9-2) are also viable exotics contenders and will be included in my vertical plays.