How to bet the 2022 Seabiscuit Handicap

An excellent field of nine turf specialists will travel 1 1/16 miles on the Del Mar lawn in Saturday’s $250,000 Seabiscuit H. (G2). With an abundance of early pace in the field, the likelihood of the winner coming from off the tempo is apparent to me, so I will focus on a trio of late runners to key in my wagers.

Phil D’Amato’s #3 Hong Kong Harry (7-2) shows four wins and a second from a handful of races since arriving in the States, led by a convincing tally in the Del Mar Mile (G2) in his most recent offering. Bred in Ireland, the son of Es Que Love shows a nifty 12-8-2-1 line in his career and has proven capable of running from a close-up position, or from well off the tempo, with equal effectiveness.

The Hong Kong Harry has posted seven solid morning drills in advance of this tilt and looms large with Flavien Prat back in the irons.

Group 1 victor #7 Irideo (10-1) shows a win and a second from a pair of local tries, with a victory in the Wickerr S. preceding a runner-up result in the Del Mar Mile. Trained by Marcelo Polanco, the Easing Along gelding boasts a fine turn of foot and has been training in swift fashion of late. The bay will take back early and make one run in the lane as a dangerous price player beneath Hector Berrios.

Juddmonte homebred #8 Set Piece (5-1) gave a fine account of himself when finishing a close fourth in the deep Coolmore Turf Mile (G1) for conditioner Brad Cox. The multiple Grade 2 hero always offers a big late run, and the in-form son of Dansili is a nice fit in the cast with ample pace to run at in the stretch. Juan Hernandez will be in the stirrups atop the late-running six-year-old.

Seabiscuit wagers

• $1 Trifecta: 3,7,8 with 3,7,8 with ALL ($42)
• 50-cent Trifecta: 3,7,8 with ALL with 3,7,8 ($21)