How to bet the 2022 Mighty Beau Stakes

Nine turf dashers will go postward in Saturday’s $160,000 Mighty Beau S. at Churchill Downs on Saturday. The five-furlong sprint on the green is led by the Brian Lynch-trained #4 Carotari (7-5), but I will seek more value with my top selection.

#7 Smokin’ Jay (9-2) makes his second run of the season and exits a good try when runner-up at Pimlico in his 2022 bow. Trained by Kelsey Danner, the gray son of Cairo Prince proved his class last year when taking the Allied Forces S. at Belmont Park, and I like his off-the-pace style in a field with a good measure of early zip in the fold. The Kentucky-bred colt will benefit from having a start under his belt and improve in this heat. Adam Beschizza will be in the silks atop my selection.

Carotari is surely good enough to win this event, but his 0-for-6 mark beneath the Twin Spires is a major cause for concern for me. The gelded son of Artie Schiller has won three races in succession dating back to the fall, led by victories in the Janus S. at Gulfstream Park and the Turf Sprint S. at Pimlico last time out. The Kentucky-bred bay will be part of a heated pace from the start with Florent Geroux taking the reins.

#2 Just Might (2-1), who won this race in 2021, will be a major contender with his top showing. The chestnut son of Justin Phillip is an $860,000 earner with class, as well as speed, and he will be among the early leaders under Rafael Bejarano. The six-year-old has been outrun late in two straight while facing a lot better, and the fleet Kentucky-bred is an obvious player if he receives a favorable trip with the class relief for conditioner Michelle Lovell.

#5 Johnny Unleashed (8-1) finished second best in the Shakertown S. (G2) at Keeneland two prior and will be included in my exotics plays. Trained by Eric Foster, the talented son of Colonel John has yet to hit the board from four races over the Churchill sod, but he was a solid fourth in the contest last season, and his leading performance will find him in the hunt late at a fair number. Gerardo Corrales will be in the silks.

Mighty Beau Wagers

• $1 trifecta: 7 with 2,4,5 with all ($21)
• $3 superfecta: key 7 with 2,4,5 ($18)
• $2 superfecta: 2,4,5 with 7 with 2,4,5 with 2,4,5 ($12)