How to bet the 2022 Queens County Stakes

A deep field of 11 will travel 1 1/8 miles on the Aqueduct main surface in Saturday’s $150,000 Queens County S. The one to beat in the contest is Woodward S. (G1) runner-up #5 Law Professor (5-2), who ran an even fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) in his most recent endeavor. I will back the talented son of Constitution for success in his 2022 finale.

Trained by Rob Atras, the gelded four-year-old is a Grade 2 victor who is relatively lightly raced to this stage of his development with 13 career starts under his belt. The Kentucky-bred has proven to be adept on both dirt and the lawn, but his main-track tries have impressed me the most. A runner-up performance behind Life is Good two back over a sloppy, sealed surface leads the way, although his recent effort at Keeneland was better than it appears on paper, too. Manny Franco will guide the tactical dark bay and have him stalking the tempo from the opening bell.

#1 Naval Aviator (30-1) has had a solid 2002, including a third-place result in the Discovery S. on this oval last time out. By Tapit, the dark bay colt has turned out to be a very productive claim and comes off a good try on the strip when dealing with a muddy, sealed surface for conditioner Michael Jones. The Kentucky-bred has exotics appeal at a huge price.

I have yet to be able to figure out when #9 Forewarned (12-1) will fire his best shot, but the son of Flat Out has some things in his favor in this spot and is worth using with Jose Gomez up. The bay seven-year-old bagged the Excelsior S. on the oval in the spring, and anything resembling that performance will give the bay a top-three chance on Saturday.

#10 Unbridled Bomber (5-1) has romped in two straight and might have simply turned the corner for conditioner Jimmy Ryerson. Upstart colt will ace the nine-furlong distance, and the three-year-old will also have a contested pace to rally into, as well. Dylan Davis will be in the silks.

Queens County Wagers

• $1 trifecta 5 with 1,9,10 with all ($27)
• 50-cent trifecta 5 with all with 1,9,10 ($13.50)
• 20-cent superfecta 5 with 1,9,10 with 1,9,10 with all ($9.60)