How to bet the 2023 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes

Note: A previous version of this story has been updated in light of the scratch of #7 Nagirroc.

An excellent field of nine sophomores will travel one mile on the Saratoga inner turf in Friday’s $500,000 Hall of Fame S. (G2) at Saratoga. Numerous contenders are dangerous in the fantastic event, including Grade 1 victor #8 Mysterious Night (10-1) for expert horseman Charlie Appleby.

The Dark Angel three-year-old was more than impressive in his electric Summer S. (G1) romp at Woodbine in the fall, and while he has been unplaced in two tries at three, the gelding still possesses a world of ability. The Irish-bred will stalk the pace from the opening stages of the tilt and will be formidable with something resembling his top effort at generous odds.

#10 Carl Spackler (9-2) broke his maiden while looking like a future star at Gulfstream Park two back, prior to putting in a subpar showing in the American Turf (G2) at Churchill Downs in his stakes bow. The Lope De Vega colt has obvious room for improvement second time with graded runners and looms large with Tyler Gaffalione in the stirrups. He will be unhurried in the early going.

Penn Mile S. (G2) runner-up #9 Behind Enemy Lines (12-1) possesses a fine turn of foot on his best day and could be a major player in the stretch if the pace backs up late beneath Joel Rosario. The Jack Sisterson trainee ran a winning race when second at Penn National and needs only minor improvement to contend at a nice price on Friday.

Manila S. star #1 More Than Looks (4-1), recent stakes romper #2 Bat Flip (8-1), Chad Brown’s #3 Appraise (10-1), and talented Euro import #4 Ocean Vision (15-1), add to the world of depth in the contest.

The fact that I am omitting both electric debut winner #5 Mischievous Angel (10-1) for Chad Brown and Shug McGaughey’s Grade 2 star #6 General Jim (6-1) speaks volumes of the class of the field.

Hall of Fame Stakes Wagers

$6 exacta key box: 8 with 9,10 ($24)

.20-cent superfecta: key 8 with 1,2,3,4,9,10 ($24)