How to bet the 2022 Commonwealth Turf Stakes

Editor's note: The conditions and composition of the race have now changed with the transfer to the sloppy main track, but the top selection is still in the field.

 

The early tempo of Sunday’s $300,000 Commonwealth Turf S. (G3) will not be especially fast at Churchill Downs, and my top selection will benefit from tracking the pace to the top of the lane before putting his best foot forward late.

 

#7 Actuator (15-1) has been very good in three of his four tries on dirt in 2022, led by a nice score in the Indiana Derby (G3) on the main strip. Second in a deep allowance tilt at Keeneland in his most recent performance, the son of Bodemeister will return to the turf for the first time since his juvenile year, and I expect him to thrive on it.

 

Conditioned by Mike McCarthy, the bargain $2,200 yearling purchase finished third on the green in both of his two-year-old outings while wearing blinkers, but he has been much better as a sophomore without the hood on. The Kentucky-bred bay has a solid pedigree to run well on the sod, and the colt has been training in swift fashion as of late, too. Martin Garcia picks up the mount atop the selection and will have him sitting in the second or third flight early while always in striking distance.

 

#3 Running Bee (scratched), one of two contenders in the heat for trainer Chad Brown, was last seen leading at every call in posting a dominant, 5 1/4-length allowance victory at Keeneland under Tyler Gaffalione. By English Channel, the Calumet Farm color bearer is lightly raced with room for improvement, and the colt can perform well while running from on or off the pace, as well. If the bay takes another forward step on Sunday, then he will be right there under the wire.

 

Brown’s #9 Portfolio Company (scratched) has been consistent in 2022 and needs only minor improvement to be a major player on this occasion. The bay son of Kitten’s Joy has won or placed in four of his five lifetime attempts at the distance, and he ran fairly well in the American Turf (G2) in May in his lone prior try beneath the Twin Spires.

 

The Klaravich color bearer put in a solid late run when fourth in the Bryan Station (G3) last time out and could surely be close in this one with a more advanced journey in the early stages. Florent Geroux taking the reins adds to his appeal.

 

Commonwealth Wagers

• $20 win #7 Actuator ($20)
• $5 exacta key box 7 with 3,9 ($20)
• 50-cent trifecta 7 with 3,9 with all ($9)
• 50-cent trifecta 7 with all with 3,9 ($9)