How to bet the 2021 Mr. Prospector Stakes

The $100,000 Mr. Prospector S. headlines a 12-race card during opening Saturday at Monmouth Park. An especially well-matched field of eight will travel six furlongs on the dirt, including last year’s runner-up #6 Awesome Anywhere (7-2). I will give the talented Florida-bred the slight edge due to his fine trio of races on the course in 2020.

Trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, the seven-year-old son of Awesome of Course has been consistently good in his career, winning or placing in 18-of-22 career tilts. The former claimer had a win and two seconds at the venue in 2020, and he rallied to be a sharp runner-up in an allowance heat at Oaklawn Park while making his seasonal debut last out.

While quick enough to dictate early terms, Awesome Anywhere doesn’t need the lead to succeed. The chestnut lands in a spot to track #1 Wind of Change (5-2) and #7 Always Sunshine (3-1), before overtaking the duo in the lane. Jose Ferrer will be in the stirrups.

Wind of Change is not overly consistent, but the Joseph charge ran a big one in his first for the barn, and he has the speed to run this field off of their respective feet if left alone early on. The fleet son of Forestry will be sent hard from the fence.

Always Sunshine is a 12-time winner who registered a 100 Brisnet Speed figure for his recent triumph at Belmont Park. Allard pupil is an obvious threat with a repeat of his latest.

In addition to the aforementioned pace players, I will also include #3 Golden Brown (6-1) in the vertical exotics. McBurney trainee has compiled a nice 11-4-3-1 mark at Monmouth Park, and he has the ability to run well off the layoff, too. The Offlee Wild gelding is better when going a route of ground, but there is a good chance that he receives a swift early tempo to rally into in the latter stages of this tilt. Carlos Hernandez will guide the New Jersey-bred late runner.

Mr. Prospector Wagers

• $20 to win on #6 Awesome Anywhere ($20)
• $3 trifecta key: 6 with 1,3,7 ($18)
• $1 trifecta: 1,7 with 6 with all ($12)