How to bet the 2022 Quick Call Stakes

A total of 10 three-year-olds, two of which are entered for main-track only, will vie in Sunday’s $175,000 Quick Call S. (G3) at Saratoga. The 5 1/2-furlong grassy heat attracted an excellent cast of sophomores and figures to be a thrilling race.

#8 Big Invasion (6-5) has reeled off four consecutive open-length victories sprinting on the lawn, the last three resulting in impressive stakes victories. Trained by Christophe Clement, the son of Declaration of War has been overpowering in amassing tallies by a combined 13 lengths, and the Kentucky-bred seems like a must use to me despite the overall class of this field. Joel Rosario will be in the stirrups and tracking a contested pace from the opening bell while clear throughout.

#3 Run Curtis Run (12-1) is my value play for conditioner Mike Maker. The stakes-winning New York-bred was no match for the top selection two back when third in the William Walker S. at Churchill Downs, but the bay has very good form and is a key exotics piece at a nice price. Summer Front colt is plenty quick out of the gate and will be rounding up to a big effort if he runs to a few of his most recent morning moves. Ricardo Santana Jr. retains the mount atop the $45,000 yearling purchase.

The wildcard in the field is #7 Asymmetric (7-2) for the always dangerous Wesley Ward. Group 2 victor ran off early before finishing second to the top pick at Belmont Park in the Paradise Creek S., but the European import comes in fresh and with blinkers removed for this assignment, as well. Showcasing colt has obvious class to him and it intrigues me to see Jamie Spencer taking the reins. Irish-bred will be dangerous with expected improvement in his second run of 2022.

Quick Call Wagers

• $25 exacta 8 with 3 ($25)
• $10 exacta 3 with 8 ($10)
• $.50-cent trifecta 3,7,8 with 3,7,8 with all ($18)