How to bet the 2023 Forty Niner Stakes

A talented field of eight will travel a one-turn mile in Saturday’s $300,000 Forty Niner S. (G2) at Aqueduct. The contest boasts multiple horses with a lot of early pace which will open the door for a contender coming from off of the tempo. And while #6 Swiftsure has won his last two races in wire-to-wire fashion, I envision him receiving a different trip in this one on his way to a third straight victory. 

Forty Niner Wagers

• $12 win and place #6 Swiftsure ($24)
• $3 exacta key box 6 with 2,3,4,5 ($24)
• $1 trifecta key 6 with 2,3,4,5 ($12)

The Uncle Mo gelding has shown major improvement since Horacio de Paz put blinkers on him two back, and he has been rating on the lead and finishing with excellent energy leading up to his graded bow. The former claimer proved capable of handling both the distance and surface in his strong allowance score last time out, and he figures to sit a nice trip just off of a contested pace to the top of the lane in this spot. Kendrick Carmouche will ride the upset selection, who I will use with the logical contenders in my wagers. 

Recent Harrods Creek S. hero #2 Everso Mischievous has turned out to be a superb $85,000 purchase with top-two finishes in each of his handful of lifetime starts for conditioner Brad Cox. This Into Mischief sophomore has gate speed and missed by a just head in his lone prior try at eight furlongs. The colt has trained well in advance of Saturday, but he will need a career-best effort while facing his elders beneath Christian Torres.  

If Chad Brown’s #3 Accretive repeats his runner-up result to Cody’s Wish in the Vosburgh S. (G2) last time out, then he will be very difficult to upend with Irad in the silks. The gelded son of Practical Joke has been strong in 2023 and owns a versatile running style which could play a big role in the contest. Kentucky-bred four-year-old is a must use. 

#4 Film Star has been first or second in each of his eight performances since being claimed in April by conditioner Linda Rice. The Flatter colt exits a very good second in the Woodward S. (G2) behind Zandon, which followed an allowance romp on this surface two prior. I am a bit concerned about the cutback to a one-turn test against this cast, but he is surely a top-three contender, nonetheless. Jose Lezcano will pilot the speedy colt. 

#5 Dr Ardito, also from the Brown shedrow, shows a 6-5-0-1 line at Aqueduct and will be dangerous late if the pace backs up inside the final furlong. The New York-bred son of Liam’s Map is five-for-seven at the distance, as well, and I’m expecting a peak performance while he makes his third run off the layoff. Regular rider Manny Franco will be in the stirrups.