How to bet the 2023 Governor's Handicap

A dozen Indiana-bred sophomores will travel one mile and 70 yards on the dirt at Horseshoe Indianapolis in the lucrative $250,000 Governor's H. Recent stakes victor #9 King Ice (5-2) rallied for a big score in the Snack H. on the oval in early July and I will come right back with the three-year-old. Trained by George Leonard, the son of Keen Ice has shown vast improvement since moving to the dirt in his third lifetime appearance and has elevated his game even more in 2023, showing a win and a pair of close second-place efforts this campaign.

King Ice ran his best race to date last time out when blitzing his foes inside the final furlong to pick up his second stakes trophy. The consistently very good Hoosier posted a swift half-mile drill most recently to hint at his readiness for this contest, and he looms large on this occasion with James Graham returning to the saddle. This dark bay colt will commence his run approaching the turn for home.

#8 Win Me Over (8-1) tired late after leading in a recent stakes try with the top pick when ultimately finishing fourth, but the Michael Gorham charge is better than he showed in that run and has value as a top-three presence on Wednesday. The Tamarkuz gelding is no sure thing at the distance, but he does possess early foot in a field lacking pace and could sit a fine voyage while always forwardly placed beneath Eduardo Perez. The dark bay will be close turning for home and I expect him to hang on for a share late.

#1 Run Away Rojo (7-2) is well drawn on the rail and comes in with fine form, showing two wins and two seconds from his last four races. The Run Away and Hide chestnut held on late for a game stakes victory on the oval in his latest endeavor and has room for further improvement for conditioner Dallas Stewart, as well. The gelding has positional speed and will save ground throughout with Reylu Gutierrez taking the reins.

#7 Corona Grande (15-1) has improved in every start since adding blinkers four back and holds a world of value for Garcia. The gray son of Unbridled Express is far from a win machine, but he owns a consistent turn of foot and I envision him moving into the frame in early stretch at a big number with Edgar Morales in the silks.

Governor's H. Wagers

$5 trifecta: key 9 with 1,7,8 ($30)

$.50-cent trifecta: 9 with 1,7,8 with all ($15)

$.50-cent trifecta: 1,7,8 with 9 with all ($15)