How to bet the 2022 Coronation Cup Stakes

A total of 12 three-year-olds fillies are entered for Friday’s $150,000 Coronation Cup S. at Saratoga. The 5 1/2-furlong dash on the outer turf course is a wide-open affair with contenders throughout the field, and I will put much of my focus on a trio that I expect to do considerable damage in the heat.

#4 Artos (10-1) has flashed potential on a few occasions and seems destined to fulfill it this summer, starting in this tilt. Trained by Rusty Arnold, the Kodiac filly capped her juvenile campaign with a solid fourth in the Queen Mary S. (G2) at Royal Ascot, and she has run well in her last pair following a poor showing to kick off 2022.

The Irish-bred bay has tactical speed and a good closing kick, and if she can overcome running in spots during her races, the bay will be a fine value play under Jose Lezcano.

#1 Marissa’s Lady (8-1) had a superb meeting at Turfway Park when reeling off three stakes wins in four tries over the All-Weather, and the versatile filly seems like a natural on the move to the green. The Bill Morey pupil is kin to a pair of turf winners, and she has the early foot to be forwardly placed from the break from the tricky rail post.

The gray Violence filly has been training in solid fashion in the Empire State in advance of her lawn debut. Kendrick Carmouche will ride.

Brian Lynch’s #7 Static Fire (8-1) is two-for-two in her career, which includes an excellent debut victory over this turf course in September. The fleet daughter of Speightster was a winner in her comeback try when leading throughout in an allowance dash on the dirt at Churchill Downs, and she will be forcing the issue from the opening bell on Friday with Julien Leparoux returning to the irons.

In addition to my top trio, Wesley Ward’s #3 Twilight Gleaming (2-1) is an obvious inclusion. The reigning Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2) heroine has never been worse than second in her seven-race career, and she could be set for a peak showing in her third try of 2022. Irad Ortiz will guide the fleet daughter of National Defense.

Coronation Cup Wager

• 50-cent superfecta: 1, 4, 7 with 1, 3, 4, 7 with 1, 3, 4, 7 with all ($72)