Belmont: How to bet the 2023 Acorn Stakes

An excellent field of eight sophomore fillies, led by Kentucky Oaks (G1) heroine #6 Pretty Mischievous (2-1), will vie in Friday’s $500,000 Acorn S. (G1) at Belmont Park. The 1 1/16-mile affair at one turn has a lot of depth to it, and I’ll take a chance with a lightly raced filly to upset the field.

#2 Randomized (5-1), one of three in the field for conditioner Chad Brown, didn’t show a whole lot when third at Saratoga in the summer in her debut offering, but the daughter of Nyquist was ultra-impressive off the layoff in her lone effort this campaign. The $420,000 yearling purchase raced at one mile in the maiden special weight ranks on March 31 at Aqueduct and decimated her foes in a visually impressive way.

The Klaravich color bearer led in gate-to-wire fashion in that victory, but it was the way that she accelerated past her foes with ease in early stretch, prior to being geared down late, that hinted that she may be something special. The Kentucky-bred bay earned a hefty Brisnet speed figure for her work and comes in fresh for a potent layoff outfit. I expect Randomized to tuck in behind a contested pace to the top of the lane before going clear late. Manny Franco retains the mount.

Pretty Mischievous gave up ground the entire way at Churchill Downs most recently but still came out on top for Brendan Walsh. The Godolphin homebred responded to the addition of blinkers in that signature coup, and I feel that the cutback in distance will actually benefit her on Friday. The Into Mischief three-year-old has tactical speed and will be moving into contention approaching the turn for home with Tyler Gaffalione in the silks.

Morning-line choice #5 Munnys Gold (9-5) is a head shy of being unbeaten in four career outings and is a must-use for Todd Pletcher. The fleet Munnings filly battled back in game fashion after being passed to just miss in the Eight Belles S. (G2) last time out, and she will be very dangerous if she establishes a clear edge in the early going.

Juddmonte homebred #8 Accede (8-1) was a good third in her first try with winners in the Eight Belles and obviously has a very bright future for Chad Brown. The bay daughter of Into Mischief received a beneficial outside draw that will see her enjoy clear sailing throughout with Flavien Prat in the stirrups once again.

Acorn Wagers

• $12 win and place: #2 Randomized ($24)
• $6 exacta box: 2, 6 ($12)
• $3 exacta key box: 2 with 5,8 ($12)
• $1 trifecta: key 2 with 5,6,8 ($6)