How to bet the 2021 Martha Washington Stakes

An intriguing field of three-year-old fillies will travel one mile on the Gulfstream Park green in Saturday’s $75,000 Martha Washington S. The field is full of lightly-raced fillies with a lot of upside, but there is one miss in the cast that interests me most. And her price is right, too.

#5 Charges Dropped (8-1) gets top billing from this corner coming off a fine maiden score at Gulfstream over a course rated good. Trained by Bobby Dibona, the $125,000 daughter of Lemon Drop Kid made good in her third lifetime performance when drawing off late, while defeating a nice field in the process. She responded to the addition of blinkers in a big way last time out, and her versatile running style will suit her well on Saturday as well.

The top pick hails from a nice, grassy family, counting three-time graded winner Inspector Lynley as a full brother. Leo Reyes inherits the mount atop Charges Dropped and will have her tracking the pace while always in range.

#2 Hana Lima (9-2) was a dominant winner on debut over this course and could evolve into any kind for Joseph. The chestnut didn’t set the teletimer on fire in her April bow, but she was very impressive while not being asked for much in the latter stages of the race, as well. The Iffraaj sophomore has trained well in the interim, and the chestnut appears to have a bright future with expected improvement going forward. Zayas will be in the silks.

I will also use a pair of other entrants in the field to fill out the exotics. Honey Ryder S. runner-up #3 Karakatsie (5-2) has done well at this locale and will be an obvious player with something like her latest performance. In addition, Mike Maker’s #4 Lady Emily (8-1) drew off to a 5 1/2-length first-out win on the lawn, and the Donald Dizney homebred could be any kind for a top turf outfit. She merits inclusion at a fine price.

Martha Washington Wagers

• $10 win and place #5 Charges Dropped ($20)
• $5 exacta box 2-5 ($10)
• $.50-cent trifecta 2,5 with 2,3,4,5 with 2,3,4,5 ($6)