How to bet the 2021 Chick Lang Stakes

Conditioner Steve Asmussen has a pair of standouts in Saturday’s $200,000 Chick Lang S. (G3). The first leg of the early Pick 4 attracted a compact field of six, and it’s hard to look past the two morning-line choices in the dash. I will center my plays around the duo and seek for value underneath the formidable pair.

#4 Jaxon Traveler (4-5) is a head shy of being unbeaten from five lifetime performances to date. A facile winner of the Bachelor S. at Oaklawn Park in his most recent showing, the son of Munnings showed improvement in his second try of 2021 and another forward move is more than possible on Saturday. Bred in Maryland, the dark bay colt debuted at Pimlico and romped by 10 lengths in September. Irad will guide the horse to beat who can run from on or off the early tempo.

#2 Mighty Mischief (5-2) was a close second at first asking and has since rolled home to a pair of dominant tallies at Oaklawn. The Kentucky-bred son of Into Mischief is the inside speed of the sprint and was only headed once in his lifetime when getting caught late on debut. A bullet half-mile drill at Churchill Downs most recently hints that the talented prospect will be ready to roll while making his stakes debut. Ricardo Santana will be in the stirrups.

I will tab #5 Shackled Love (20-1) to complete the trifecta behind the top duo for value. The Gary Capuano trainee is not a pure sprinter, but he possesses class evidenced by his Private Terms S. victory two back, and I think that the cutback in trip will aid the gelded bay on Saturday, as well. I am willing to draw a line through his subpar showing in the Federico Tesio S. at nine furlongs on the surface last time out. Sheldon Russell inherits the mount atop the capable sophomore, who will be rallying from well off the early pace.

Hutcheson S. victor #6 Willy Boi (3-1) is obviously a talented three-year-old for trainer Jeff Engler, but I think that the speedy sophomore is in a tough spot despite the fine outside draw. The gelding is best when he establishes the early edge, and I don’t have confidence that the son of Uncaptured will clear in the early going. I am tossing him at a fairly short price.

Chick Lang Wagers

• $15 trifecta 2,4 with 2,4 with 5 ($30)
• $2 trifecta 2,4 with 5 with 2,4 ($4)