How to bet the 2018 Spinaway Stakes

A dozen fillies will look to earn an automatic entry into the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) on Saturday in the $350,000 Spinaway (G1) at Saratoga, a "Win & You're In" Breeders' Cup Challenge race.

By far the most intriguing entrant is #7 Chasing Yesterday, the Tapit half-sister to 2015 Triple Crown hero American Pharoah who looked well-talented in her own right when taking her debut by 4 1/4 lengths at Del Mar on July 28. Trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Mike Smith have just been about worth an automatic Win bet when teaming up in New York in recent years. Think Abel Tasman, Marley's Freedom, Drefong, Arrogate, Mor Spirit, West Coast, etc.

Her primary challengers include #4 Catherinethegreat, who ran nine rivals off their feet when taking the Schuylerville (G3) on opening weekend, and the Midwest invader #11 Restless Rider, unquestionably the leading two-year-old filly at Churchill Downs this spring.

Showing a great deal of maturity and class, Restless Rider overcame the kind of trouble in the June 30 Debutante at Churchill that would have stopped most horses her age. Rating behind the leader, she was forced to check around the far turn when that leader went wrong and began backing up into Restless Rider. Moved to the outside by jockey Brian Hernandez, Restless Rider swung wide to make her bid at the top of the stretch and quickly overwhelmed her rivals in an incredible performance. The winning margin was 11 1/4 lengths

While I don't believe she'll be as high as her 6-1 morning line price, Restless Rider is a viable alternative to Chasing Yesterday in the Win pool. We'll play her there and in a straight Exacta over Chasing Yesterday, with a saver Exacta of Chasing Yesterday over Restless Rider.

$20 Win  on 11

$12 Exacta 11 over 7

$6 Exacta 7 over 11

(Coady Photography)