How to bet the 2022 Street Sense Stakes

A total of 11 juveniles will travel 1 1/16 miles in the $200,000 Street Sense S. (G3) at Churchill Downs on Sunday. The opening day co-feature is led by Iroquois S. (G3) third #3 Jace’s Road for trainer Brad Cox. A swift debut winner at Ellis Park at first asking, the son of top sire Quality Road has posted four solid morning drills following his first run beneath the Twin Spires, and I like his chances in a field that is lacking a world of class, in my opinion. Florent Geroux, the money rider for this outfit, will take the reins once again atop the nice prospect.

The most intriguing contender in the field could be #4 Fliparino. Conditioned by Rusty Arnold, the second-time starter put in a big late run at first call to graduate on the surface and figures to improve in this spot while getting more ground with which to work with. By Honor Code, the April foal has registered a trio of useful morning works in the interim, and he might sit a bit closer to the early tempo on this occasion with a clean break beneath repeat rider Corey Lanerie.

Steve Asmussen’s #6 Red Route One graduated on the lawn two back prior to rallying for a Grade 1 placing when third in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland while making his dirt bow. By standout sire Gun Runner, the Winchell homebred ran into a fine top pair most recently and gets a measure of class relief on Sunday. The chestnut colt will be fit with a trio of route races under his belt to this stage of his development, and I expect the March foal to be moving best of all late with Ricardo Santana Jr. taking the reins once again.

The Larry Rivelli-trained #5 Two Phil’s was outrun to some extent in the Breeders’ Futurity when seventh under the wire, but he has appeal to me in this spot. By Hard Spun, the chestnut colt impressed with two sharp sprint wins preceding the performance at Keeneland, and I view the March foal as a dangerous pace player at a fair price against this cast. Jareth Loveberry, who has been atop the contender in three straight, will be in the irons on Sunday.

Street Sense Wagers

• $5 trifecta key: 3 with 4,5,6 ($30)
• $4 exacta key box: 3 with 4,5,6 ($24)
• $.50-cent trifecta box: 3,4,5,6 ($12)