How to bet the 2023 Chorleywood Stakes

A nice field of nine turf stayers will travel 1 1/4 miles on the Ellis Park green in Saturday’s $175,000 Chorleywood S. Conditioner Mike Maker has a trio of major contenders in the field, but I have a hard time going against morning-line choice #6 Foreign Relations (2-1) in the tilt.

Trained by Conor Murphy, the top pick graduated while going 1 1/4 miles on the All-Weather at Turfway Park four back, but he has upped his game with the move to the lawn as of late. At Keeneland in April, the Karakontie gelding crossed the wire more than four lengths in front in an allowance event at 1 1/2 miles, only to be disqualified and placed last. But the chestnut proved that his effort was far from a fluke as he was a convincing winner of the Louisville S. (G3) in his next outing, finishing a measured 1 1/2 lengths clear under the wire.

Foreign Relations has posted a pair of bullet morning drills following that victory and simply looks like the contender with the most upside in the group. The Double O Racing color bearer finished a rallying second in his debut in 2021 in his lone local appearance, and I expect him to deliver another good race on the course with Declan Cannon in the stirrups. The top selection has a measure of tactical speed and will never be far behind a moderate early pace to the top of the lane, before taking over in the stretch.

#1 Hidden Stash (15-1) presents the best value in the field for vertical exotics in my opinion. By Constitution, the five-year-old has displayed a hint of class on occasion in his career, and while he has never won on the lawn, the chestnut has hit the board in six of his eight career grassy endeavors. The Kentucky-bred has the pedigree to thrive at the distance, and if he takes to the addition of blinkers, then Hidden Stash is a viable option at a big number. James Graham will be in the irons.

Each of Maker’s trainees will also be included in the plays, with Pan American S. (G2) star #2 Therapist (3-1), Pan American second #7 Bay Street Money (5-1), and the Grade-2 placed #8 Media Blitz (8-1), all making the ticket. I have a hard time separating the trio.

Chorleywood Wagers

$25 win: #6 Foreign Relations ($25)

$6 exacta box: 1, 6 ($12)

$1 trifecta: key 6 with 1,2,7,8 ($12)