How to bet the 2021 Lake George Stakes

A total of 10 sophomore fillies will travel a mile on the inner turf at Saratoga in Friday’s $150,000 Lake George S. (G3). The feature attracted a fantastic group of turf performers with seven stakes winners among the well-matched cast.

Of the four from the Chad Brown shedrow, I give a slight edge to #6 Amy C (9-2) with Irad in the silks. Bay daughter of Charming Thought raced twice on the All-Weather at Deauville prior to making her stateside debut at Belmont Park on June 25. In that allowance tilt, the talented filly was stuck behind a slow early tempo, but still went last-to-first in an excellent showing.

The French import has trained at Saratoga since arriving in the U.S., recording a pair of solid morning drills in preparation, including one on the green most recently. I expect to see the three-year-old sit well off of what could be a solid early pace before putting in her best work inside the final furlong.

Appalachian S. (G2) queen #5 Jouster (7-2) will be the one to catch, and likely the one to beat for conditioner Todd Pletcher. The $360,000 yearling purchase is 3-for5 since moving to the lawn, and while she tired late in the Wonder Again S. (G3) going nine furlongs most recently, the daughter of Noble Mission will appreciate the cut back in distance on Friday. Luis Saez has the assignment.

The value horse I have most interest in is #7 Toby’s Heart (10-1). By Jack Milton, the dual stakes vixen was a superb winner of the Bolton Landing S. on the course as a juvenile, and I liked her prep for Friday, a closing second in the Tepin S. at Churchill Downs last time out. The Brian Lynch pupil has a versatile running style and figures to get the jump on the deeper closers turning for home under Castellano.

I will structure my plays around the aforementioned trio in the dynamic betting event.

Lake George Wagers

• $10 win and place on #6 Amy C ($20)
• $5 exacta key box: 6 with 5,7 ($20)
• $.50-cent trifecta: 6 with 5,7 with all ($8)
• $.50-cent trifecta: 6 with all with 5,7 ($8)