How to bet the 2023 Malvern Rose Stakes

A total of seven Pennsylvania-bred sophomore fillies will run 6 1/2 furlongs on the Tapeta surface in Monday’s $100,000 Malvern Rose S. at Presque Isle Downs. The well-matched field features a heavy measure of pace signed on for the affair, so my top pick will be one who can rally from off of the early tempo.

#2 Captain Courtney (7-2) finished third on the dirt on debut in a sprint at Parx but has shown vast improvement since switching surfaces for conditioner Michael Trombetta. By Army Mule, the $90,000 two-year-old purchase was a superb, eight-length winner on the lawn in her second assignment and proved more than capable of handling the all-weather most recently when driving home a powerful, 10-length allowance heroine in her local bow.

The bay miss has delivered a potent turn of foot in her last pair of encounters, and the cutback in distance should only enhance her closing kick this afternoon. Captain Courtney has the tactical speed to stay in range early and will benefit from a busy front end on Monday with Victor Carrasco retaining the ride.

#3 Scottish Symphony (3-1) ran the best race of her lifetime when runner-up to allowance foes at Woodbine for conditioner Mark Casse. By Mendelssohn, the dark bay Keystone State-bred was a stakes second on the oval in her career debut as a juvenile and has a versatile running style to be well-positioned throughout the affair with Rafael Hernandez coming in to guide the $235,000 yearling purchase.

#6 Rusty My Brother (4-1) is 2-for-2 at the venue and gets an obvious look in this heat for trainer Tim Girten, who is having a fine meeting in advance of this encounter. By Social Inclusion, the dark bay lass impressed in her latest endeavor when rallying professionally after being passed at the top of the lane, and another move forward will give the talented sort an obvious chance with Antonio Gallardo staying in the silks.

Recent stakes victress #7 Late Frost (5-2) is undoubtedly classy enough to handle this cast, but she is a wildcard of sorts having never run on the all-weather. I will still include the Michael Matz pupil from the outside post beneath Jaime Rodriguez.

Malvern Rose Wagers

$30 win: #2 Captain Courtney ($30)

$3 trifecta: key 2 with 3,6,7 ($18)