How to bet the 2023 Joseph Broussard Stakes

An octet of fillies and mares will go two turns on the Fair Grounds dirt in Friday’s $100,000 Joseph E. Spanky Broussard Memorial S. The well-matched field boasts a pair of runners from the barn of Kenny McPeek, including top selection #1 Corningstone (4-1).   

Broussard Wagers

• $20 win and place #1 Corningstone ($40)
• $3 trifecta box 1,2,5 ($18)

Bred in the Hoosier State, the three-year-old comes in off of a solid allowance second at Churchill Downs in her second try off the short layoff, and I expect the daughter of Kantharos to peak third time off the bench. The $75,000 yearling purchase is a three-time stakes heroine who has been first or second in her last seven dirt attempts in succession, and I like that she is drawn on the rail to save ground throughout the race, as well. 

Corningstone has applicable tactical speed combined with a consistent turn of foot, and I expect her to be difficult to deny inside the final furlong of the contest with Brian Hernandez, Jr. taking the reins. 

Morning-line choice #5 Hidden Connection (5-2) will be a major presence with her best showing for conditioner Bret Calhoun. The Connect filly is winless over the past 12 months, but she has been facing some very good opposition and faces a measure of class relief in the affair. The dark bay Kentucky bred has a good chance to be the controlling speed in the race, and if Reylu Gutierrez could navigate through moderate early fractions, then the four-year-old looms large as the favorite. She was a dominant allowance heroine in her most recent local appearance. 

#2 The Alys Look (3-1) is Grade 1-placed and a stakes winner on the course as she makes her second run since arriving in the Brendan Walsh shedrow. The bay defeated my top pick in a smart allowance win after being off for more than four months, and the Kentucky Oaks (G1) third will be dangerous if she moves forward in her second run back. This Kentucky-bred sophomore has displayed versatility in the past and will likely be in the second flight on the back side with Florent Geroux in the stirrups.