Exotics Plays for the Van Clief Stakes

A full field of 12 will travel 5 1/2 panels on the outer turf at Colonial Downs in Sunday’s competitive $150,000 Van Clief S. 

The grassy dash is led by Godolphin’s #8 Mischief Magic (5-2), who is the class of the field. He’s a stone closer who often has a lot to do turning for home and is no cinch in this dash. 

The four-year-old will surely be included in most or all of my plays because the son of Exceed and Excel has performed well while facing some excellent foes this season. William Buick will be in the controls. 

Van Clief Exotics Wagers

• 50-cent trifecta 7,8 with 2,7,8,12 with all ($30)
• 20-cent superfecta 7,8 with 2,7,8,12 with 2,7,8,12 with all ($21.60)

#7 Witty (4-1) is not the swiftest horse from the gate, but the Elizabeth Merryman pupil is consistently very good and possesses a fine closing kick on his best day. This gray son of Great Notion has finished first or second in each of his assignments in 2024, including a runner-up finish behind a fine winner at Woodbine in the Highlander (G2) most recently. 

This Keystone State-bred has performed well on all kinds of surfaces and will be right there at the finish with a top performance beneath Jevian Toledo. 

The value of the race could lie with Joe Orseno’s #2 Extendo (20-1), who is a generous price. 

This dark bay son of Handsome Mike is winless on the lawn and is far from the most consistent horse in training, but he comes off a nice fourth in a deep dash at Monmouth Park most recently. Any improvement will make him a contender at a big number. Edgard Zayas has the call. 

Joe Sharp’s #12 Mister Mmmmm (20-1) is also inconsistent, but he has been going well since being claimed for $30,000 in December, and the exotics player also has some back class to him. 

The outside draw could be a slight problem, but his running style and versatility could help overcome that with Brian Hernandez Jr. in the stirrups. This six-year-old son of Speightster will track the pace from the second or third flight in the early going.