How to bet the 2023 Ogden Phipps Stakes

A compact, but superb, field of six fillies and mares will go postward in the $500,000 Ogden Phipps S. (G1) at Belmont Park on Saturday. Four of the six in the cast have endured success at the top level in the past, but I will aim for another to upset this cast and add a Grade 1 win to her resume.

The George Weaver-trained #1 Pass the Champagne (8-1) has always flashed the potential to be a major player at the level and comes in off of a dominant tally in the Ruffian S. (G2) on the oval in her latest endeavor. By Flatter, the five-year-old mare put in a fantastic rally in the lane to win in going-away fashion while making her local debut, and she could surely improve in her third start off the layoff, as well.

Pass the Champagne finished a head second in the 2021 Ashland S. (G1) as a three-year-old, and following some mixed results since that fine effort, the chestnut seems to have put it all together in advance of this affair. Feargal Lynch has the call and will be saving ground atop the Kentucky-bred every step of the way.

Defending champ #6 Clairiere (6-5) was a dramatic late winner of the Apple Blossom (G1) in her latest fine performance and will be the one to hold off late for conditioner Steve Asmussen. The Curlin mare has been first or second in 10 of her 11 tries at the 1 1/16-mile trip, and she simply continues to impress me. The Stonestreet homebred will likely track near the back of the pack early on prior to unleashing her fine late run in the lane. Joel Rosario will be in the stirrups once again.

I also think that the Chad Brown-trained #2 Search Results (4-1) fits well in the field, as she finished third after leading late in the tilt last season. The five-year-old daughter of Flatter is a Grade 1 victress on the surface and came home a very good third in the La Troienne S. (G1) beneath the Twin Spires in her seasonal debut last time out. The Klaravich color bearer has good gate speed and has only one other pace presence to deal with in the affair, so she will get the jump on the quartet of late runners turning for home on Saturday. Flavien Prat will guide the win threat.

Ogden Phipps Wagers

• $20 win: #1 Pass the Champagne ($20)
• $5 exacta key box: 1 with 2,6 ($20)