Fair Grounds: 2022 Untapable Stakes Value Plays
A total of 10 juvenile fillies will go two turns in Monday’s $100,000 Untapable S. at Fair Grounds. The morning-line favorite is #1 Pretty Mischievous (3-1), who came home third in the Golden Rod S. (G2) at Churchill Downs in her most recent affair. Trained by Brendan Walsh, the Godolphin homebred has performed well in each of her three lifetime starts to date and looms large in the affair.
Pretty Mischievous was a popular victress on debut when overcoming the 12 post to draw off by 2 1/4 lengths beneath the Twin Spires on Sept. 18, which preceded a facile allowance triumph on the same surface on Oct. 30. The bay looks like a fine prospect with a very bright future to me, and I expect her to enjoy a ground saving trip to the top of the stretch before taking over under Brian Hernandez Jr.
The value in my wagers lies with recent maiden heroine #9 Hayunevano (10-1). Sam David pupil was heavily backed at first asking when finishing a decent third, and she improved nicely on the stretch out in trip when leading throughout going 1 1/16 miles here on Dec. 9. The Kentucky-bred daughter of Goldencents has the early foot to help overcome the wide post, and I envision her being well placed on the back side and poised to pounce in early stretch. Marcelino Pedroza Jr., who has guided the miss home in each of her career tries to date, has the riding duties once again atop the February foal.
I am not in love with #4 Vavha (7-2) in this particular spot, but the improving Cherie DeVaux trainee is an obvious contender following a fine maiden score at Churchill Downs last time out. Gun Runner filly has moved forward in two straight appearances, and the $280,000 yearling purchase sports a pedigree that indicates running a route of her ground will be to her benefit. April foal will be tracking the tempo from the second flight early on with Luis Saez retaining the mount.
Untapable Value Plays
- $20 exacta 1 with 9 ($20)
- $15 trifecta 1 with 9 with 4 ($15)
- $10 trifecta 1 with 4 with 9 ($10)
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