Exotics Plays for the 2023 Forego Stakes at Turfway Park

The Saturday feature at Turfway Park is the $125,000 Forego S., a 6 1/2-furlong dash on the All-Weather for the boys. Defending champ #9 Visitant (4-5) draws outside for the event but is still the clear one to beat for conditioner Bill Morey. The course specialist has been nearly unbeatable at Turfway and rates a big chance yet again under Gerardo Corrales.

Visitant sports a 10-8-1-1 local line and the seven-year-old has posted a pair of dominant victories on the surface this season following a lengthy layoff. By Ghostzapper, the seven-year-old has won his last six one-turn races at this venue and could peak while making his third start off the shelf on Saturday. The Williamson Racing homebred has the tactical presence to be in range early, combined with a potent turn of foot to put his foes away late.

The Dale Romans-trained #8 Night Time (3-1) has taken to the local synthetic as of late when recording a pair of fine allowance tries, including a runner-up finish behind the top pick two prior. The Majesticperfection chestnut has gotten off to tardy starts in a few races in succession, but he has made up for his slow beginnings with powerful finishes. The six-year-old will be doing his best work inside the final furlong with Chris Landeros in the stirrups.

#3 Here Mi Song (4-1) has been consistent in preparation for this encounter for trainer William Stinson, Jr. The gelded son of Cross Traffic has finished first or second in seven of his last nine tries, and he comes off a good effort when a close fourth in the Prairie Bayou S. going long on the oval. The five-year-old cuts back in distance which will aid his late kick, and I envision the gray making his way into the frame late for Fernando de la Cruz.

Mark Casse’s #6 Candy Overload (6-1) bagged the Kennedy Road S. (G2) on the All-Weather at Woodbine two races prior and has to be given a top-three chance for sure. The gelded son of Reload cuts back in trip after running long in his latest venture, and the five-year-old has been an excellent performer in one-turn events in his career. The Ontario-bred will be closing from off the slow early pace in the hands of Luan Machado.

Forego Wager

• $10 trifecta: key 9 with 3, 6, 8 ($60)