How to Bet the 2019 Hanshin Stakes

A well-matched field of 11 will travel one mile at Arlington Park in the $100,000 Hanshin Cup Stakes (G3) on Saturday. GITA’S LAD (#1) (10-1) – Scott Becker charge rides in on a three-race win streak in search of his first stakes win. The gelded four-year-old was unplaced in a lone local run prior to this one, but he is a different animal now in lifetime form and can’t be ignored. Victor Santiago will ride the Illinois-bred. REVVED UP (#2) (8-1) – Old class horse removes the blinkers after a trio of tries with the hood on. The Candy Ride six-year-old is a mystery on the synthetic in his second start for Mark Casse, but he warrants a long look from off the pace in his second outing of 2019. RERIDE (#3) (8-1) – Ignacio Correas IV charge just missed in the mud at Keeneland with allowance foes in a nice prep for this event. The dual stakes-winning colt could peak third time off the shelf while forwardly placed throughout. RICHIESINTHEHOUSE (#4) (6-1) – Synthetic specialist sports a superb 10-8-2-0 mark on all-weather ovals, including a three-for-four mark at Arlington. The Sidney’s Candy gelding is a question mark at the trip and from a class perspective as the wildcard in the field. The likely pacesetter will be sailing from the break beneath Jose Valdivia Jr. SIR ANTHONY (#5) (9-2) – Mineshaft four-year-old was a going-away stakes winner the last time he raced on this course in the summer. The chestnut has fine stakes form and looms a huge chance with his best. The Illinois-bred has never been better. NUN THE LESS (#6) (7-2) – Top contender was best over the Turfway Park synthetic with a fine tally in the Kentucky Cup Classic two prior for Cipriano Contreras. The Candy Ride gelding was a good second in the Ben Ali Stakes (G3) at Keeneland last out and could be moving best of all in the stretch. He is a must use. ECKERSLEY (#7) (20-1) – Dark bay son of Congrats has raced on the lawn in nine straight and seeks his first tally since 2017. The Kentucky-bred will take back and try to run them down in the lane. MACHTREE (#8) (20-1) – Ben Colebrook trainee bagged the 2018 Wando Stakes on the synthetic at Woodbine and makes his third start since the barn change. The son of Kitten’s Joy could sneak into the exotics with his best performance. GONEGHOST (#9) (5-1) – Local standout was second in this race last campaign after holding a big lead turning for home. The speedy son of Cherokee Rap will be very dangerous if he clears early under Chris Emigh. LANIER (#10) (6-1) – Seven-year-old raised his game with four sharp runs at Turfway Park leading up to this one, including a second in the Kentucky Cup Classic most recently. The Lewis Michael gelding has the right running style to track the pace and get first run turning for home. WHAT’S UP DUDE (#11) (30-1) – Mark Cristel pupil draws widest of all and would need a career-best to challenge this field. ANALYSIS Richiesinthehouse and Goneghost are both confirmed front runners and should ensure of a robust pace. The contenders who run from off the pace should be rolling into contention in early stretch, and there could be more than half of the field in the mix late. WAGER $1 Trifecta 5,10 with 3,5,6,9,10 with all = $72 Good Luck! PHOTO: Nun the Less wins the Kentucky Cup Classic over Lanier at Turfway Park on March 9, 2019 (c) Coady Photography/Turfway Park