How to bet the 2022 Noble Damsel Stakes

A compact field of five fillies and mares will go postward in Saturday’s $150,000 Noble Damsel S. (G3) at Belmont at the Big A. The one-mile turf affair is led by a duo from the barn of Christophe Clement, and I will side with his less ballyhooed entrant for the top prize.

#4 Messidor (2-1) has fully acclimated to racing in the U. S.and is 2-for-3 in her last three entering this engagement. Bred in Ireland, the four-year-old bay was a sharp winner at Belmont Park three back in a seven-furlong dash, and following a solid fourth in the Perfect Sting S., the four-year-old rolled home a fine victress of an allowance heat at Saratoga in her latest endeavor.

The top selection doesn’t possess much early speed, but she does own a fine turn of foot that I expect to be on display on Saturday. Regular pilot Javier Castellano will be in the silks.

Clement’s #2 Plum Ali (8-5) has the back class of the cast and has to be given a very good chance at a top-two finish with her best showing. By First Samurai, the chestnut filly is a perfect 2-for-2 on the course, and she has the tactical speed to be in the mix from the opening bell, as well. The four-year-old has an affinity for the surface, as well as good current form, and she would not be a surprise with Manny Franco taking the reins.

#1 Kept Waiting (3-1) is 2-for-2 at Aqueduct and stretches out following a pair of turf sprints for conditioner Robert Falcone Jr. The daughter of Broken Vow has proven to be capable on both dirt and the green, but I prefer her on the sod, where she sports an 11-4-3-1 career mark. The Broadway S. heroine gets Irad Ortiz Jr. in the silks, and if she can handle the added ground on Saturday, then the five-year-old will be an interesting upset contender from the rail. The Empire State-bred mare will be tracking the pace from second to the head of the stretch.

Noble Damsel Wagers

• $30 win: #4 Messidor ($30)
• $14 exacta: 4 with 2 ($14)
• $7 exacta: 4 with 1 ($7)