How to bet the 2022 Jersey Shore Stakes

A talented and well-matched cast of 10 sophomores will dash six panels in Saturday’s $100,000 Jersey Shore S. at Monmouth Park. I was very impressed with the comeback allowance victory registered by the Wesley Ward-trained #6 Nakatomi (4-1) at Churchill Downs last time out and will side with the gelding in this spot.

The son of Firing Line capped his two-year-old campaign with a score in the Bowman Mill S. at Keeneland in October, and he returned with a fine effort on June 26 in his try with blinkers off. The $25,000 yearling purchase got off a bit slowly beneath the Twin Spires before rolling home late to win in going-away fashion.

The chestnut shows four solid morning drills in the interim, and I expect him to track a swift and contested pace before taking over inside the final furlong on Saturday. Samy Camacho inherits the mount.

#8 Of A Revolution (6-1) hasn’t done much wrong in his lifetime with a trio of wins and two placings from five career tries for Saffie Joseph. The Florida-based chestnut was last seen dominating an overmatched allowance at Gulfstream Park, and improvement off that score will make him a dangerous commodity from slightly off the pace in this dash. Tyler Conner will be in the stirrups.

Christophe Clement’s once-beaten #9 Senbei (5-1) is the likely one to catch and beat, and the fleet New York-bred is a top-three must use while making his local bow. The four-time stakes-winning son of Candy Ride gamely held on late in the Gold Fever S. at Belmont Park to commence 2022, and a forward move is expected in his second try of the season. Samy Camacho picks up the ride.

Hutcheson S. victor #4 Provocateur (6-1) exits a third-place run in the Woody Stephens S. (G1) and will appreciate the class relief for Todd Pletcher. And recent Chick Lang S. (G3) upsetter #7 Lightening Larry (6-1) has been first or second in all but one lifetime appearance, while sporting a 4-3-1-0 mark at six furlongs. His inclusion is obvious to me with Chantal Sutherland riding.

Jersey Shore Wagers

• $10 win and place: #6 Nakatomi ($20)
• $5 exacta: 6 with 4, 7, 8, 9 ($20)
• 50-cent trifecta: 6, 8, 9 with 6, 8, 9 with 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 ($9)