How to bet the 2023 Fourstardave Handicap

The lucrative $500,000 Fourstardave H. (G1) will take place at Saratoga on Saturday and attracted a strong field of seven. Conditioner Todd Pletcher will saddle a pair of prime players in the field, including #1 Emmanuel (3-1), who was last seen getting up late in the Poker S. (G3) at Belmont Park.

Emmanuel has always flashed talent, and he took a step forward when transferring to the turf seven starts back. The bay son of More Than Ready has garnered four graded stakes triumphs on the sod, and I expect him to thrive on the move to one mile in this race. Kentucky-bred colt boasts a fine turn of foot, and he figures to be saving ground to the top of the lane with Jose Ortiz in the silks.

Grade 1 star #4 Annapolis (8-5) boasts a 4-2-2-0 mark at Saratoga and will make a second run of the season following a runner-up effort in the Kelso S. (G3) in his latest engagement. The bay son of War Front has been a fine grassy performer in his lifetime, and his top victory to date came when he easily toppled an excellent cast in the Turf Mile (G1) at Keeneland in the fall.

Annapolis has been first or second in all but one of his previous attempts at the eight-furlong trip, and he figures to make a nice step forward in his second showing off the bench. The Pletcher pupil will have regular pilot Irad Ortiz Jr. in the irons once again.

Bill Mott’s fantastic #6 Casa Creed (7-5) won the race in 2022 and continues to thrive despite being a seven-year-old. The son of Jimmy Creed was a powerful Kelso winner at the trip last time out and loves the Spa, with a trio of wins and two placings from his five prior local endeavors. Kentucky-bred bay posted a pair of solid morning drills leading up to the contest and will have Luis Saez guiding him once again. Casa Creed will be unhurried early and showing his best energy in the stretch.

Fourstardave Wagers

• $10 exacta key box 1 with 4,6 ($40)
• $3 trifecta box 1,4,6 ($18)