How to bet the 2022 Maker's Mark Mile

A deep field of turf specialists will travel one mile on the Keeneland green in Friday’s $600,000 Maker’s Mark Mile S. (G1). Four of the 11 entered for the feature have achieved prior success at the Grade 1 level, with five others possessing a graded victory on their résumé.

I was super-impressed with the going-away victory posted by #1 In Love (10-1) in the Keeneland Turf Mile (G1) on the course in October and will tab the six-year-old for the top prize in his 2022 debut.

The gelded son of Agnes Gold reached new heights with the addition of blinkers last campaign, which included a stakes romp at Kentucky Downs and a solid effort in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) at Del Mar when defeated by just 3 1/2 lengths, sandwiched around his best win to date. The Paulo Lobo pupil runs well when fresh and will save ground throughout from an advantageous rail post in the test. Regular pilot Alex Achard will guide the stout late runner.

Shoemaker Mile S. (G1) star #6 Smooth Like Strait (2-1) capped a solid four-year-old season with a sharp runner-up performance in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) for Michael McCarthy. The consistently very good son of Midnight Lute has won or placed in at least 10 straight graded stakes tilts, and he has the appearance of controlling speed on Friday, as well. The bay will be on or forcing the pace from the early stages beneath Umberto Rispoli.

European import #4 Masen (5-1), one of two in the cast for conditioner Chad Brown, has a lot of intrigue to me while making his stateside debut. The Juddmonte homebred flashed good potential as a juvenile and followed that up with a trio of good showings at three, and I expect him to peak this season after being patiently handled to this stage of his development. The Kingman gelding could be a live one at a square price with Flavien Prat in the controls.

This field possesses so much class and depth that I will have to use the "all" button in some of my vertical plays. No contender in the field would be a major surprise to me.

Maker’s Mark Mile Wagers

• $15 win and place #1 In Love ($30)
• .50-cent superfecta 1,6 with 1,6 with 4 with all ($8)
• .50-cent superfecta 1,6 with 1,6 with all with 4 ($8)
• .50-cent superfecta 1,6 with 4 with 1,6 with all ($8)