How to bet the 2021 Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes

A compact but excellent field of six will contest Saturday’s $250,000 Thoroughbred Club of America S. (G2) at Keeneland. The “Win and You’re In” dash will reward the winner with a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) at Del Mar on November 6.

The race lacks an abundance of early zip, which could play out well for defending champ #3 Inthemidstofbiz for conditioner Cipriano Contreras. By Fed Biz, the five-year-old was a commanding winner of the affair in 2020 when taking the lead prior to the turn for home and striding clear as a three-length victress under the wire.

She has raced twice since, taking an allowance race at Indiana Downs in her seasonal debut prior to coming home fourth on the all-weather surface at Presque Isle Downs in her latest voyage. The bay mare has put in a trio of solid morning moves in the interim, and she will be set for her best third off the long absence on Saturday. Manny Esquivel has the call and will likely put the Kentucky-bred on the lead soon after the break.

I have become a big fan of the hard-trying #4 Estilo Talentoso this season, and she seems poised to deliver a big effort in her second Keeneland attempt. The four-year-old bay daughter of Maclean’s Music exits an especially deep heat when a commendable fifth in the Ballerina S. (G1) at Saratoga, and has been knocking heads with the best in her division all season, which includes a runner-up effort in the Madison S. (G1) at Keeneland in April. Jose Ortiz retains the mount atop the stalker, who will track from third in the early going.

Grade 1 queen #6 Bell’s The One is clearly the one to beat for trainer Neil Pessin. The five-year-old daughter of Majesticperfection has been among the top female sprinters in training for the past two seasons, and she is a top-three must use on Saturday. The potential lack of any pace in the race could compromise the one-run closer, however.

Thoroughbred Club of America Wagers

• $10 trifecta key 3 with 4, 6 ($20)
• $5 trifecta 3, 4 with 3, 4, 6 with 3, 4, 6 ($20)
• $3 trifecta box 3, 4, 6 ($18)