How to bet the 2022 Ladies Marathon Stakes

A solid field of nine fillies and mares will travel 1 5/16 grassy miles at Kentucky Downs on Sunday in the lucrative $550,000 Ladies Marathon S. (G3). The well-matched field features multiple logical win contenders in what appears to be a very good betting affair.

I love that #1 Adventuring (4-1) won on the surface in the Dueling Grounds Oaks last season and will peg the four-year-old for success in her second try at the venue. Trained by Brad Cox, the Pioneerof the Nile filly showed her versatility while making her 2022 debut when posting a facile stakes tally over a sloppy surface at Mountaineer Park.

Adventuring will be fitter for her second appearance of the season in this spot, and I think that the rail draw will be of great benefit to her, as well. The Godolphin homebred has fired bullet morning drills in her last two works and seems to be coming up to the race in fine fashion. Joel Rosario, who rode her to victory on the surface last year, will be in the silks.

I feel that #4 Flippant (6-1) is a great value inclusion in the heat for conditioner Vicki Oliver. The gray daughter of Tapit is a three-time stakes winner who possesses a fine turn of foot, and it’s worth noting that she broke her maiden on the lawn at 1 1/4 miles, as well. Gray four-year-old ran just evenly in the Yellow Ribbon (G2) at Del Mar last time out, but the stretch-out in distance will aid her on Sunday with Rafael Bejarano in the stirrups.

Morning-line choice #8 Family Way (3-2) has been in fine form in 2022 while winning or placing in each of her five tries, all at the graded stakes level. The defending champ in the contest has been facing much better as of late for conditioner Brendan Walsh, and she had an excellent prep for this test when a clear third in the Beverly D. S. (G1) at 1 1/8 miles in her latest venture.

Regular pilot Tyler Gaffalione retains the mount atop the five-year-old daughter of Uncle Mo and will have her tracking a moderate early tempo to the turn for home. Kentucky-bred mare is an obvious inclusion despite the small price.

Ladies Marathon Wagers

• $2 trifecta 1 with 4,8 with all ($28)
• $1 trifecta 1 with all with 4,8 ($14)
• $1 trifecta 4,8 with 1 with all ($14)
• 50-cent superfecta 1 with 4,8 with 4,8 with all ($6)