How to bet the 2023 In Reality Stakes

A total of seven juveniles will run 1 1/16 miles on the Gulfstream Park dirt in Saturday’s $300,000 In Reality S. The Florida Sires Stakes event is led by the exciting #2 Bentornato, who is unbeaten from four lifetime appearances for conditioner Jose D’Angelo. By Valiant Minister, the dark bay colt has been dominant this season led by recent easy triumphs in the Affirmed S. and Dr. Fager S. on the oval, and the $170,000 two-year-old purchase seems poised to make good in his stretch out to two turns. 

In Reality Wagers

• $10 superfecta 2 with 5 with 1 with all ($40)
• $5 superfecta 2 with 5 with all with 1 ($20)

Bentornato has a good measure of early speed in a field lacking pace, and with a post slot near the rail, it seems likely that the March foal will take command of the race soon after the gates open. He has posted a trio of solid morning drills leading up to the tilt and will have the services of regular pilot Emiseal Jaramillo once again.

Stakes winner #5 Mattingly has been first or second in each of his five tries to date and is the main danger to the top selection. Trained by Joe Orseno, the Bucchero colt earned a lifetime best 94 Brisnet Speed number when runner-up in the Affirmed while making his dirt bow most recently, and he has the natural early foot to keep the favorite in range throughout. The January foal will be fit and ready following two solid morning moves leading up to Saturday, and he might make this a match race turning for home with Edgard Zayas inheriting the mount. 

For the lower rungs of the exotics, I like the chances of the Antonio Sano-trained #1 Secret Lover from the rail. The son of Khozan is still a maiden after six lifetime runs to date, although a pair of those races came in the stakes ranks. Bay colt has run a few solid ones on the course this season and will be seen rallying late after saving ground to the head of the stretch. Joe Bravo will be in the irons atop the April foal.