How to bet the 2022 San Clemente Stakes

A total of 12 three-year-old fillies will travel one mile on the Del Mar lawn in the $200,000 San Clemente S. (G2). The Saturday feature is led by four from the barn of trainer Phil D’Amato, but I will look elsewhere for the winner.

The Jeff Mullins-trained #2 Countess Rosina (8-1) is 2-for-3 with a second since coming to the U. S., which includes a game victory when stretching out to one mile at Santa Anita most recently. By Dandy Man, the Irish-bred sophomore put in a pair of solid sprint runs prior to her latest effort, and I have confidence that she will be able to endure the trip in her initial try over the course.

Countess Rosina has a nice draw near the rail, good positional speed, and the filly is also a nice price, as well. Ryan Curatolo will guide the top selection.

#6 Bellabel (4-1) was a smooth winner of the Blue Norther S. at Santa Anita in January when making her stateside debut for D’Amato, and the well-rested Belardo filly might be the one to beat if she comes back ready off the bench. The dark bay Irish-bred displayed a fine closing kick on that occasion, and if she improves off of that showing, then the miss will be hard to deal with inside the final furlong on Saturday. Umberto Rispoli will be in the silks.

Senorita S. (G3) starlet #8 Island of Love (5-1), also from the D’Amato shedrow, comes in fresh after posting a smart runner-up performance in the Honeymoon S. (G3) last time out. The Kodiac filly will be forwardly placed from the opening bell beneath Juan Hernandez.

And the John Shirreffs-trained #1 Lady T (6-1) is intriguing, as well. The daughter of Into Mischief has shown quality on the dirt this season, led by an impressive second in the Summertime Oaks (G2) most recently, and I like the move to try the grass for the initial time in this affair. The Kentucky-bred has a pair of turf-winning siblings, and if she takes to the green, then the bay will be an imposing figure in the stretch under Victor Espinoza.

San Clemente Wagers

• $10 win and place: #2 Countess Rosina ($20)
• $3 exacta key box: 2 with 1,6,8 ($18)
• $.50-cent superfecta: 2,6 with 2,6 with 1,8 with all ($18)