How to bet the 2022 Artie Schiller Stakes

The $135,000 Artie Schiller S. will be contested at one mile on the grass at Aqueduct on Sunday. An overflow field of 13 has been entered, and I will be looking for a horse to come from off the pace to get the job done.

Graham Motion’s #7 Pao Alto is a Group 2 winner who gave a fine account of himself when a big runner-up at Pimlico in September while making his U.S. debut. By Intello, the five-year-old didn’t offer much late in posting an even effort in the recent Knickerbocker S. (G3) on the surface, but I feel that he will take a big step forward in his second appearance at Aqueduct.

Pao Alto will make his third start since coming to the states in the spring and posted a pair of useful morning drills at Fair Hill in preparation. The chestnut will have a strong tempo to rally into with Trevor McCarthy picking up the mount.

#8 Decorated Invader endured an excellent juvenile campaign in 2020 for Christophe Clement, and following a pair of lackluster showings at three, the multiple Grade 2 winner appears to be rounding back into his best form this season. The five-year-old son of Declaration of War came home a close second at Pimlico in his 2022 debut, which was followed by a convincing allowance triumph at Woodbine in his latest performance.

The Kentucky-bred bay can unleash a potent late kick on his best day, and the shape of the race will likely benefit the contender in his third try off the long absence. Kendrick Camouche will have Decorated Invader poised to pounce approaching the turn for home.

Of the duo from the Chad Brown shedrow, I have a slight preference for #1 Sifting Sands in this spot. The Dubawi colt has run well in his last trio of races leading up to Sunday, the bay four-year-old gets a cozy spot on the rail, and I expect him to settle kindly early and have a big chance turning for home. Sifting Sands has improved his Brisnet Speed figure in four straight and will have Manny Franco in the stirrups.

Artie Schiller Wagers

• $20 win #7 Pao Alto ($20)
• $5 exacta key box 7 with 1,8 ($20)
• $2 trifecta box 1,7,8 ($12)