How to bet the 2021 Vosburgh Stakes

A small field of five will dash six furlongs on the Belmont Park dirt in Saturday’s $250,000 Vosburgh S. (G2). The “Win and You’re In” event will give the first-place finisher an entry in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) at Del Mar on November 6.

Defending champ #4 Firenze Fire is the class of the cast and has to be in my top two for conditioner Kelly Breen. The six-year-old son of Poseidon’s Warrior was a fine runner-up in the Forego S. (G1) at Saratoga last time out, and the Florida-bred will thrive on the cutback to three-quarters of a mile on Saturday. Firenze Fire is also a course specialist, having compiled a superb 11-7-2-0 mark over Big Sandy in his lifetime. The speedy sort will have Irad Ortiz in the silks and force the issue from the start.

Todd Pletcher’s #5 Following Sea had bit off a bit more than he could chew in his last pair but fits well in this spot from a great outer post slot. The Spendthrift homebred ran into the top duo of Jackie’s Warrior and Life is Good at Saratoga last time out, and while this field has plenty of talent in it, I like his chances to factor late on Saturday.

Following Sea continues to train like a good one, and he will have the benefit of drawing directly outside the favorite to track his voyage every step around the oval. In his lone local assignment, the son of Runhappy earned a 108 Brisnet Speed figure in an allowance romp. Joel Rosario will be atop the upset contender.

The lightly raced #3 Baby Yoda is the wildcard in the cast for conditioner Bill Mott. The once-beaten son of Prospective began his career at the $10,000 maiden claiming ranks and has yet to face stakes foes, but his pair of races at Saratoga in the summer were super impressive and the gelded sophomore could be any kind going forward. Baby Yoda earned a robust 105 Brisnet Speed figure in his allowance romp most recently, and a forward move makes him interesting in the very least with Luis Saez in the silks.

Vosburgh Wagers

• $20 exacta 4 with 5 ($20)
• $10 exacta box 4-5 ($20)
• $5 exacta 4, 5 with 3 ($10)