How to bet the 2023 Likely Exchange Stakes

A well-matched field of 11 fillies and mares will travel one mile over the Turfway Park surface in Saturday’s $125,000 Likely Exchange S.

#6 Kate’s Kingdom (8-5) was purchased for $400,000 in November and the daughter of Animal Kingdom rewarded her new connections with an immediate return following a fine tally in the My Charmer S. on the oval last time out. Conditioned by William Walden, the five-year-old has compiled a solid 8-4-2-1 mark on the synthetic in her lifetime, led by a victory in the Ontario Matron S. (G3) at Woodbine two prior.

The mare has won or placed in five races in succession, all of which have come at the stakes level, and she could improve on Saturday while making her second run off a short absence. Kate’s Kingdom has posted a pair of smart half-mile drills locally in advance of Saturday and will retain the services of pilot Jack Gilligan. She will be formidable with her top showing.

#5 Grand Ave Girl (6-1) has some upset appeal for conditioner Kenny McPeek. Transferred to this shedrow in September, the five-year-old mare is a stakes heroine who could be controlling speed if sent from the break by jockey Luan Machado. By Runhappy, the stakes-winning bay has been a bit short in two races on the course at the meeting, but she could peak in her third outing off the short layoff if she is allowed to dictate things from the start.

Vicki Oliver’s #10 Fair Game (8-1) left a good impression on me when rallying for a strong allowance tally in her local bow most recently. The Honor Code mare has not been ultra-consistent in her lifetime, but she is more than capable on her best day, and the five-year-old has a right to improve in her second local assignment.

Fair Game has a measure of positional speed combined with a solid turn of foot, and I feel that she can endure a clear voyage while stalking the pace in this affair, prior to doing her best work inside the final furlong. Declan Cannon will be in the irons once again.

Likely Exchange Wagers

• $20 exacta: 6 with 5, 10 ($40)
• 50-cent superfecta: 5, 6 with 5, 6, 10 with 5, 6, 10 with all ($16)