Exotics for the 2023 Mrs. Revere Stakes

A well-matched field of 12 will travel 1 1/16 miles on the Churchill Downs turf in Friday’s $300,000 Mrs. Revere S. (G2). In a field with so many legitimate contenders, I feel compelled to search for value. 

Mrs. Revere Exotics

$5 exacta key box 10 with 3,7,12 ($30)
$.50-cent trifecta 10 with 3,7,12 with all ($15)
$.50-cent superfecta box 3,7,10,12 ($12)

The Ignacio Correas-trained #10 Watch this Birdie (8-1) has shown steady progression this season including a fine allowance victory on the surface last time out. The Arkansas-bred daughter of Astern has won or placed in five straight leading up to her stakes debut, and with a 2-for-2 local mark, the bay filly makes sense as an off-the-pace runner in a field with ample early foot in the mix. Regular pilot Vincent Cheminaud retains the mount and will have the top pick doing her best work in the final furlong. 

#12 Heavenly Sunday (7-2) is the tepid morning-line choice for conditioner Brad Cox. The dark bay daughter of Candy Ride bagged the Edgewood S. (G2) in her lone run beneath the Twin Spires last spring and comes off a nice try when runner-up in the deep Valley View S. (G3) at Keeneland. The Kentucky-bred filly has fine early speed and might benefit from drawing outside of the other pace in the tilt with Florent Geroux in the silks. She will always be prominent in the affair. 

#3 Neecie Marie (4-1) has done little wrong on the green in her lifetime for trainer Butch Reid. The three-year-old daughter of Cross Traffic has been first or second in all but one lifetime turf tries, including a pair of runner-up graded finishes in the Empire State as of late. This Keystone State-bred bay might be the class of the field and will have Flavien Prat in the irons. 

Valley View (G3) third #7 Bling (5-1) has been in fine form in 2023 with a 6-2-1-3 line this season, which includes a trio of graded stakes placings. The Victoria Oliver pupil can run from on or off the early tempo, and I consider the filly to be an exotics must-use with Rafael Bejarano in the irons.