How to bet the 2021 Mint Julep Stakes

A total of 11 fillies and mares will go postward in Saturday’s $150,000 Mint Julep S. (G3) at Churchill Downs. The 1 1/16-mile turf endeavor is led by Grade 1 victress #2 Juliet Foxtrot, who led in wire-to-wire fashion in the Jenny Wiley S. (G1) at Keeneland in her most recent outing. Trained by Brad Cox, the six-year-old has a lot of positives heading into her second try of 2021, and I will put the Juddmonte homebred on top.

Juliet Foxtrot has kept fine company while facing graded stakes foes in 10 straight races, and she was due for a win at the top level last time out following numerous Grade 1 placings leading up to that tally. The bay mare is training well and should only move forward while making her second start of the season. She will be in the first flight from the early stages while saving ground throughout under Tyler Gaffalione. And if there is moisture in the ground, then her chances will only improve.

I fancy the pair of outside contenders to rally into a swift early pace and complete the gimmicks. #10 Sister Hanan cuts back in distance following three tries at marathon trips at Gulfstream Park in 2021. The Ben Colebrook pupil has been first or second in each of her two local assignments, and she dons a perfect 2-for-2 mark at today’s distance, as well. Sister Hanan comes in fresh and will be doing her best work inside the final furlong under Corey Lanerie.

Steve Margolis’ #11 She’sonthewarpath is a hard-trying mare who is poised for a big run second time off the bench. The consistently good closer had a fine prep run for the Mint Julep when fourth in a deep turf dash at Keeneland in her seasonal bow, and three of her six lifetime tallies have come at this distance, too. Daughter of Declaration of War missed by a half-length in the race in 2020 while facing arguably a deeper cast than she will encounter on Saturday. The multiple stakes queen will receive a nice set-up in the affair despite drawing widest of all with Adam Beschizza in the stirrups.

Mint Julep Wagers

• $20 exacta 2 with 10,11 ($40)
• $1 trifecta 2 with all with 10,11 ($18)