How to bet the 2022 Speakeasy Stakes

Santa Anita Racing (Photo by Shutterstock)

October 2nd, 2022

A field of nine juveniles will travel five panels on the lawn in the $100,000 Speakeasy S. at Santa Anita. The winner of the grassy dash will receive an automatic berth into the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint S. (G1) at Keeneland.

I’m interested in the Simon Callaghan-trained #4 Arman (6-1) and will take a shot with the son of Bolt d’Oro. The pricey $600,000 two-year-old buy was unveiled at Churchill Downs on June 23 and registered a smart debut win while running five-eighths on the dirt, eventually drawing clear to post a 2 1/2-length victory. In the Best Pal S. (G3) in his second assignment, the January foal broke slowly and never recovered while a non-factor, but he has been freshened since that showing and will take a big step forward on this occasion.

Arman is bred to thrive on the green, and he will also run with blinkers on for the initial time which might aid him in getting out of the gate better. The bay is training well and figures to be tracking the pace from the opening bell with Ramon Vazquez taking the reins.

#9 Speed Boat Beach (4-5) earned a massive 103 Brisnet Speed figure in his first-out tally at Del Mar for conditioner Bob Baffert. By Bayern, the $200,000 spring purchase posted a bullet five-eighths in his lone morning drill since that score, and I like that he draws outside of a field that shows a lot of early zip in it. If the colt takes to the lawn, then he will be a formidable foe with anything resembling his debut run. Juan Hernandez will be in the stirrups.

#3 Ah Jeez (6-1) looked the part in his maiden-breaking tally on the Del Mar turf two back prior to tiring late when going long in his most recent endeavor. Trained by Doug O’Neill, the son of intriguing young sire Mendelssohn cuts back in distance and will be a major player if he runs to the rapid half-mile drill that he posted in advance of Sunday. Regular pilot Abel Cedillo will be in the stirrups.