How to bet the 2023 John Henry Turf Championship Stakes

A total of eight turf specialists will travel 1 1/4 miles on the Santa Anita lawn in Sunday’s $200,000 John Henry Turf Championship S. (G2). Conditioner Phil D’Amato has a trio of formidable contenders in the contest, but I will give top billing to another in the well-matched field. 

John Henry Wagers

• $6 trifecta key 2 with 1,6,7 ($36)
• 50-cent superfecta 2 with 1,6,7 with 1,6,7 with all ($15)

The Michael McCarthy-trained #2 Offlee Naughty (5-1) comes off a decent showing when going 1 3/8 miles in the Del Mar H. (G2) most recently, and the son of Flashback will appreciate both the cutback in distance and the return to Santa Anita on this occasion. Bred in the Bluegrass State, the five-year-old bagged the Charles Whittingham S. (G2) at 10 furlongs here in his seasonal debut, and I expect a similar type of effort on this occasion. 

Offlee Naughty has been very consistent since the winter, and the top pick will be able to save ground to the top of the lane from this post, as well. The bay will have Umberto Rispoli, who is on a nice run for this outfit of late, in the irons.

Grade 1 winner #7 Gold Phoenix (5-2) bagged a pair of Grade 2 races at Del Mar in the summer and is the one to beat, in my opinion. The five-year-old son of Belardo has had a lot of success on this course in the past, and his latest try at 10 panels resulted in a solid showing in the Whittingham, as well. Talented late runner shows a pair of nice morning drills leading up to this one and will have leading pilot Juan Hernandez in the silks. 

Graham Motion’s #6 Speaking Scout (6-1) finished a clear second in the 2022 Twilight Derby (G2) in his lone local showing in advance of Sunday. Mr Speaker gelding is a consistent performer in general, and I expect him to move into contention late as a prime top-three contender under the guidance of John Velazquez. 

Defending champ #1 Masteroffoxhounds (4-1) could face early pressure from the rail in this endeavor, but the D’Amato charge is always a danger at this venue, nonetheless. Six-year-old son of War Front was a good third in the Eddie Read (G2) off a long break last time out, and he will be in the mix late with anything close to his top effort under Edwin Maldonado.