Fair Grounds: Colonel E. R. Bradley Stakes exotics plays

A full and competitive field will go postward in the $100,000 Colonel E. R. Bradley S. at Fair Grounds on Saturday. The 1 1/16-mile turf test lacks a standout and appears to be one of the best betting races on the stakes-filled card.

There is a good measure of early zip in the 12-horse cast, which leads me to believe that the top finishers will rally from off of the pace in this affair. And since I have had a hard time narrowing my focus to just a single horse, I will dabble with multiple contenders for my exotics plays.

#8 Monarchs Glen has finished in the top three in six of his eight outings since being claimed by conditioner Mike Maker. The gelded British-bred son of Frankel has solid current form with two straight third-place results on the course in advance of Saturday, and while he is not the most logical win player in the field, I love his chances to make a run late and finish in the money at a fair number. Joe Bravo will be in the stirrups.

Grade 1 victor #6 Two Emmys cuts back in distance after having run much longer in his previous three events for Hugh Robertson. The six-year-old gelding just missed in the Sycamore S. (G3) at Keeneland in his most recent appearance, and I think that he will prosper cutting back in distance against this group. The chestnut is proven to be capable of running from off the pace, and he figures to stalk early before being asked for his best energy late under James Graham.

#7 Excess Magic had a fine three-year-old campaign and seems poised to give a fine account of himself in his seasonal debut for Bret Calhoun. The Magician colt is three-for-four on this turf, and his versatile running style makes him quite appealing despite the class rise on Saturday. Reylu Gutierrez will be in the silks.

Colonel E. R. Bradley Exotics Wagers

• $5 exacta box 6, 7, 8 ($30)
• 50-cent trifecta 6, 7, 8 with 6, 7, 8 with all ($30)