How to bet the 2023 Fifth Avenue Stakes

A full field of 12 Empire State-bred juvenile fillies will run seven furlongs on the Aqueduct dirt in Saturday’s lucrative $500,000 New York Stallions Series S. (Fifth Avenue Division). 

Fifth Avenue Wagers

• $10 exacta 11 with 2,8,7 ($30)
• $.50-cent trifecta 8,11 with 2,7,8,11 with all ($30)

George Weaver’s #11 Soloshot had her unbeaten record snapped when failing to fire at Aqueduct in the Key Cents S. last time out, but the chestnut filly was too sharp in her first pair of lifetime assignments to ignore in this spot, and she gets the slight nod in a well-matched field. By solid young regional sire Solomini, the $290,000 two-year-old purchase blitzed her foes on debut in a special weight dash prior to leading at every call in facile fashion in the Lady Finger S. at Finger Lakes second time out. 

The chestnut broke poorly and didn’t respond well to not being on the lead in that spot, but she has trained well in the interim with two nice morning moves in advance of this heat. The outside draw looks like a benefit, as does retaining the services of regular pilot Manny Franco. 

I feel that multiple runners are worthy of exotics inclusion in this one, with debut winner #8 Walk With Me among those. Trained by David Duggan, the $100,000 yearling purchase defeated just five foes in her tally, but the daughter of Central Banker closed with good energy when doing so and will appreciate another furlong in this tilt, in my opinion. She comes in fresh off of her November 9 unveiling and has posted a trio of moves leading up to Saturday for a conditioner who does pretty good work with youngsters. Dylan Davis will guide the contender.  

#2 My Shea D Lady isn’t the top win play in the field, but the Carlos David pupil surely has ability and rates as a prime top-three player from off the pace with a draw near the fence. This dark bay daughter of Solomini has encountered some talented horses and fields in preparation for her second run on the surface, and second off the layoff, too. A non-threatening fourth behind an average early tempo most recently, the dark bay will receive a fast pace to run into down the lane with Javier Castellano in the silks. And the price will be right, as well. 

Bill Mott’s #7 Book of Wisdom has the Brisnet Speed numbers and the overall consistency, so she is an obvious inclusion in the affair. The Solomini chestnut has run well in both of her local races to date, and while she is still a maiden, the talented prospect has a good foundation and the right running style with Junior Alvarado in the controls.