How to bet the 2021 Highlander Stakes

Turf sprint sensation #7 Caravel (1-1) will lead a field of eight postward in the $350,000 Highlander S. (G1) at Woodbine on Sunday. The six-furlong dash on the lawn has attracted a sharp field, but the race goes through the fleet filly who will tackle the boys.

Caravel has been superb in her last pair in streaking clear to dominant stakes wins, including a powerful romp in the Caress S. (G3) at Saratoga last time out. The gray daughter of Mizzen Mast has yet to face males, but the Keystone State-bred four-year-old has never been better and appears to be up to the task despite offering little value in the win pool. Racing for trainer Graham Motion for the first time, the filly will have Irad Ortiz aboard for riding duties and be closing into a stout early pace down the lane.

Conditioner Mark Casse will take three shots to take down the chalk, and I think at least two of those have substantial appeal. #1 Old Chestnut (10-1) is a perfect 3-for-3 at Woodbine, including a game allowance victory in his latest performance. The chestnut son of Speightstown has a fine turn of foot on any kind of ground, and the rail post seems ideal for the powerful late runner. Patrick Husbands has the call.

#3 Turned Aside (7-2) was purchased for $725,000 at Keeneland in January, but has yet to run to his price tag in two tries since joining Casse. The American Pharoah colt has had excuses for each setback, though, and I am expecting a big run from the four-year-old in his third assignment of the season. Speedy sort will be forwardly placed beneath Emma-Jayne Wilson.

The third Casse pupil is #4 Chuck Willis (8-1), who had his four-race win streak snapped in the Connaught Cup (G2) on the course most recently. By Kodiac, the lightly-raced five-year-old has really taken to racing in North America as he ran clear to a pair of dominant wins on the all-weather at Woodbine last season. The Irish-bred will appreciate the cutback to six panels at this venue beneath Kimura.

Highlander Wagers

• $8 exacta key box 7 with 1,3 ($32)
• $3 trifecta key 7 with 1,3,4 ($18)