Canterbury Park stakes spot plays for June 23

Six black-type events will headline a huge card at Canterbury Park on Wednesday. There are numerous deserving favorites in the marquee races, but there are also a number of value runners worth taking a chance on in the stakes frays.

Race 3 -- Curtis Samson Oaks

Sophomore fillies will travel a mile on the lawn to kickstart the stakes action. The Brad Cox-trained #9 Saranya (9-5) is the class of the field and looks especially tough in this spot. Stakes-placed daughter of The Factor didn’t handle the "good" turf at Keeneland behind three classy rivals most recently, but she is placed in a much easier spot with a nice post on the far outside. Florent Geroux riding adds to her appeal.

Race 4 -- Dark Star Turf Sprint S.

Five-furlong dash on the sod attracted a fleet cast of eight. If #1 High Crime (9-2) can rate even a little in the early stages from the rail, I like his chances to make a big impact inside the final furlong. Darrin Miller trainee has gone close in stakes tries on a few occasions, and the son of Violence might benefit from having the inside post, as well.

Race 5 -- MTA Stallion Auction S.

An octet of three-year-olds will go 6 1/2 furlongs on the dirt in the opening leg of the Pick 6. #5 Rozey Cheeks (5-1) gave favored #6 Star of the North (8-5) her lone setback to date with a debut win on the course in July, and I will tab her for the upset in this dash second off the shelf. Bravo pupil signaled her readiness for Wednesday with a bullet half-mile move on the strip most recently.

Race 6 -- Lady Canterbury S.

A total of nine fillies and mares will go a mile on the turf in a solid affair. I will look to the outside for a pair of runners I fancy the most . #8 Evil Lyn (2-1) was a closing third in a strong allowance tilt beneath the Twin Spires most recently, and the Maker trainee looms large in her local bow as the morning-line choice.

In addition to her, #9 Urban Fairytale (6-1) has a lot of intrigue with Geroux riding. Distorted Humor filly was a stakes runner-up on the course last campaign, and she seems to have shown improvement since that engagement. Wilkes pupil has upset potential with a move forward.

Race 7 -- Mystic Lake Mile S.

Nine males will contest the mile turf event, and I will use #7 Sonny Smack (12-1) in all of my vertical plays at a big price. Six-year-old gelding was an allowance winner on the course off the claim for Diodoro, and while he may not get up to win this, he does have a strong turn of foot in a field with a lot of pace in the fold. Lindey Wade will be in the controls.

Race 8 -- Mystic Lake Derby

The most lucrative test of the evening will pit 11 sophomores running a mile on the lawn in a deep contest. #8 Modern Science (5-1) gives me the impression of a colt with a bright future after four solid races to begin his career for Wilkes. The son of Galileo broke his maiden well in his seasonal debut, and I envision the bay making a big step in the right direction while making his stakes debut.