How to Bet the 2019 Natalma Stakes

An octet of juvenile fillies will travel one-mile on the Woodbine turf on Sunday in the grassy $250,000 Natalma Stakes (G1). This “Win & You’re In” affair to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) has attracted a few exciting prospects that could move on to further success at Santa Anita on November 1 following this event.

ANALYSIS

Walk in Marrakesh (#1) (5-2) has flashed big speed overseas and will be sent from the inside. She will be tracked by the impressive Fair Maiden (#3) (6-5) and the stakes-placed Abscond (#8) (8-1). The early tempo is expected to be solid led by this trio of talented youngsters.

The Mark Casse-trained duo of Diamond Sparkles (#2) (10-1) and Secret Stash (#7) (6-1) will likely track in the next flight waiting to pounce in the stretch.

WAGERS

$10 Exacta 3 with 6,7,8 = $30
$4 Exacta 6,7,8 with 3 = $12
$2 Trifecta Key 3 with 6,7,8 = $12

Here is the cast:

WALK IN MARRAKESH (#1) (5-2) – Chestnut is a three-time winner from five lifetime races in Europe and brings speed to the field. April foal hails from fine connections and gets a dream rail post draw. Siyouni filly will have Jamie Spencer in the silks.

DIAMOND SPARKLES (#2) (10-1) – Twice-raced lass gets Lasix for her North American debut for Mark Casse. Well-bred filly is a wildcard in the cast, but she rates a top-three chance if she runs to her pedigree with Tyler Gaffalione on board.

FAIR MAIDEN (#3) (6-5) – Eoin Harty pupil has been dominant in her last pair of assignments, including a 7 1/2-length stroll in the Catch A Glimpse Stakes on the course most recently. Godolphin homebred should easily handle the distance and is the clear one to beat in her route debut. Flavien Prat inherits the live mount.

RUNWAY DREAMER (#4) (20-1) – Maiden was an even fourth on debut at Woodbine and receives Lasix on the major class rise. Josie Carroll charge was not well-backed in her first offering and would be a surprise in this affair.

SARATOGA VISION (#5) (20-1) – Court Vision filly is a maiden following seven lifetime performances and will need a huge step forward to make a case late today. The dark bay looks to be in a demanding spot.

COACH LORI (#6) (8-1) – Gray filly was a smart debut winner at Woodbine in gunning down a clear one late for Mark Casse. Interesting contender was heavily bet in her first appearance and has trained swiftly in the interim. She will benefit if the pace collapses in the stretch under John Velazquez.

SECRET STASH (#7) (6-1) – Smart maiden romper is cross-entered in the Summer Stakes (G1) with the boys in a first outing since arriving in the Mark Casse barn. Irish-bred could be almost any kind, and the filly she trounced most recently has won twice since. March foal will track the pace early in her second attempt at the trip.

ABSCOND (#8) (8-1) – Eddie Kenneally trainee has run two good sprint races on the lawn to date and stretches out for the first time today. Blame filly is bred to handle some distance, and her running style suggests that she will be comfortable at one-mile. Kentucky-bred ran into a buzzsaw at Saratoga and is a sneaky win candidate beneath Irad Ortiz Jr.

PHOTO: Fair Maiden (c) WEG/Michael Burns Photography