How to bet the 2023 Glens Falls Stakes

Six fillies and mares will attempt to knock off the fantastic #1 War Like Goddess (3-5) in Thursday’s $250,000 Glens Falls S. (G2) at Saratoga. The 1 1/2-mile turf test on the inner lawn attracted some fine opposition to the morning-line choice, but I still have to key the mare on top in total respect for her class and affinity for the surface.

A winner in the affair in 2022, War Like Goddess concluded her five-year-old season with a fine third-place result in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) at Keeneland, and the daughter of English Channel kicked off 2023 with a comfortable score in the Bewitch S. (G3) on the same course in April. In her latest endeavor, the Kentucky-bred bay came up short when a non-threatening sixth in the New York S. (G1) at Belmont Park at 1 1/4 miles, but she will improve with more ground to work with combined with a fine rail post in this spot. Joel Rosario will guide the Bill Mott trainee.

#7 Vergara (12-1), one of two in the field for conditioner Graham Motion, ran her best race to date at an extended distance at Kentucky Downs and gives the impression of a contender who will thrive at the distance on this occasion. The Noble Mission four-year-old has been in good form since August and put in a pair of solid preps at 1 1/16 miles this season to be ready for this endeavor with John Velazquez in the silks. The Kentucky-bred bay possesses speed, a pedigree to handle the trip, as well as the class to grab a share at a nice price.

Of the two from the Chad Brown shedrow, #2 Virginia Joy (8-1) is the one I prefer slightly. The Soldier Hollow six-year-old has plenty of back class and was a good third in the event last campaign, which preceded a wire-to-wire score in the Flower Bowl S. (G2) on this oval. The German-bred bay has hit the board in each of her trio of lifetime tries at the distance and has an obvious affinity for the oval, as well. The turf ace Flavien Prat will be in the silks and will have the miss forwardly placed while saving ground throughout.

Glens Falls Wager

$2 superfecta: 1 with 2,7 with 2,3,4,5,7 with 2,3,4,5,7 ($48)