Betting With, and Against, Olympiad in the Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes

An excellent field of eight will run 1 1/4 miles on the Saratoga main surface in Saturday’s $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup S. (G1). Three-time Grade 2 winner #2 Olympiad (2-1) is the morning-line choice in the historic race for conditioner Bill Mott. The son of Speightstown had reeled off five wins in succession this campaign prior to finishing fourth in the deep Whitney S. (G1) last time out, but he can easily rebound on this surface with his best performance.

The four-year-old colt broke his maiden on the oval as a two-year-old and has never run a poor race in his lifetime. The Kentucky-bred has very good gate presence and will be first or second in the early stages while getting first run on the closers with Junior Alvarado in the silks.

Among the numerous legitimate contenders in the field, #5 Americanrevolution (3-1) is my top choice. The four-year-old Constitution colt capped his 2021 season with a fine tally in the Cigar Mile (G1) at Aqueduct, and I expect him to be up to peak form while making his third start of the year in this spot. The Todd Pletcher pupil was a dominant stakes winner in his lone prior run on the surface, and I think that he will handle the 10 furlongs with aplomb, as well.

The Empire State-bred can be in the mix from the break and will likely sit a good trip while tracking the pace while close from third early on. Joel Rosario picks up the mount atop the accomplished colt.

Shug McGaughey’s #6 First Captain (4-1) retains Luis Saez and comes off a fine second-place run in the Suburban (G2) at Belmont in his latest endeavor. By Curlin, the four-year-old colt is 5-for-8 in his career and has arguably never been better in advance of this mighty test. He has obvious top-three appeal.

Suburban (G2) winner #8 Dynamic One (7-2) has taken the proverbial next step this season for Pletcher and is surely in with a huge chance. The Union Rags chestnut was impressive in taking the Curlin S. on the course in 2021, and with good current form, the four-year-old makes a lot of sense with Irad Ortiz Jr. riding. The outside draw while going this distance is something of a concern, however.

Olympiad – With

• $10 trifecta key: 2 with 5,6,8 ($60)

Olympiad – Against

• $2 trifecta: 5,6,8 with 2,5,6,8 with 2,5,6,8 ($36)
• $2 superfetca key: 5 with 2,6,8 ($12)