How to bet the 2022 Philip H. Iselin Stakes

A cast of six will vie in Saturday’s feature at Monmouth Park, the $250,000 Philip H. Iselin S. (G3). The trio of morning-line choices drew inside and all seem formidable to me, and I will go with the logical contenders in this spot.

The lightly raced #1 Forza Di Oro (8-5) will make his initial start since finishing fifth in the 2021 Woodward S. (G1), and will also make his first run since joining the barn of Jerry Hollendorfer. By Speightstown, the Don Alberto homebred is a Grade 3 winner who has flashed substantial potential on more than one occasion in his career, so much so that he was sent postward an 11-10 favorite in the Jockey Club Gold Cup S. (G1) at Belmont in September.

Forza Di Oro is 4-for-8 lifetime while keeping top company on numerous occasions and seems poised for a big season if he can stay healthy. The chestnut has been training in swift fashion locally in advance of his comeback, and he possesses the right running style to fit the oval, as well. Paco Lopez will take the reins and have the top selection forwardly placed from the opening bell in the 1 1/16-mile contest.

#3 Highly Motivated (9-5) was much the best in the recent Monmouth Cup S. (G3) here most recently and rates a big chance for conditioner Chad Brown. The son of Into Mischief has been a high-level performer dating back to his two-year-old campaign, and his affinity for the Monmouth strip could go a long way in determining who will thrive inside the final furlong in the heat. Hector Diaz Jr. will ride the four-year-old stalker.

2021 Peter Pan S. (G3) star #2 Promise Keeper (5-2) has failed to hit the board in three of his last four performances for conditioner Todd Pletcher, but the Constitution colt can’t be overlooked on this day. The chestnut four-year-old strode home a solid third in the New Orleans Classic (G2) two prior, and a repeat of that run will make him a viable contender inside the final furlong on Saturday. The Kentucky-bred will have Samy Camacho in the stirrups.

Iselin Wagers

• $40 win: #1 Forza Di Oro ($40)
• $8 trifecta: 1 with 3 with 2 ($8)
• $2 trifecta: 1 with 2 with 3 ($2)