How to bet the 2023 Dust Commander Stakes

An excellent field of 10 will travel 1 1/16 miles over the Turfway Park All-Weather in Saturday’s $125,000 Dust Commander S.

#6 Price Talk (5-2) ran a good third from a very wide post in his lone try on a synthetic surface here two back and I will use him in all my wagers. Claimed by conditioner Brad Cox in June, the six-year-old has picked up a pair of stakes victories while winning or placing in each of his handful of tries for these connections.

Price Talk finished third as favorite on the turf at Fair Grounds in the Colonel E. R. Bradley S. last time out when facing a strong cast, and he could peak in his third appearance off the layoff while making his second local showing. The versatile son of Kitten’s Joy has excellent tactical foot and will be able to get the jump turning for home on his deeper closing foes. Fernando de la Cruz will be in the silks atop the chestnut.

Grade 1 victor #9 In Love (2-1) aced his first test on the surface when cruising home a fine winner of the Prairie Bayou S. last time out and is likely to improve with experience on the all-weather. The Brazilian-bred son of Agnes Gold will kick off his seven-year-old season on Saturday and appears to be training forwardly for conditioner Paulo Lobo, who is having a fine current run at the meeting. The bay will take back early on in a race with ample early speed in the mix, and his best will be difficult to hold off late. Gerrardo Corrales retains the mount.

#1 Beatbox (6-1) put in some superb efforts here last season and looked the part in his most recent allowance triumph on the oval last time out, his second start since joining the Cherie DeVaux barn. The Pioneerof the Nile five-year-old drilled a bullet half-mile to prepare for this contest most recently and will save ground to the top of the lane before being asked for his best by Rafael Hernandez.

Dust Commander Wagers

• $25 win: #6 Price Talk ($25)
• $3 trifecta: box 1, 6, 9 ($18)