How to bet the 2023 Orleans Stakes

A total of eight fillies and mares will dash five-eighths at Delta Downs on Friday evening in the $75,000 Orleans S. The feature attracted a well-matched field with numerous contenders in the line-up, and I will search for some value with my leading selections.

I will focus on a pair of horses in the top slot, including #1 Sassy Beast (10-1) for conditioner Angel Rodriguez. The chestnut daughter of The Big Beast is a smart 2-for-5 since being claimed by her current connections in 2021 and fits the profile as a mare who will thrive while making her local debut.

Bred in the Sunshine State, the five-year-old had won two races in succession early last season at Tampa Bay Downs prior to checking in third when facing a solid stakes field at that venue off the long absence in December. In her latest showing, Sassy Beast finished an even third on the All-Weather strip at Gulfstream Park, which should serve as a nice prep for Friday.

The mare romped in her lone previous try on a "bullring" at Charles Town, and with a versatile running style, I expect the win threat to rate behind a contested pace and have aim inside the final furlong of the dash. David Cardoso inherits the mount.

#4 Kela’s Turn (9-2) is a multiple stakes heroine who has compiled a decent 6-2-1-1 mark at Delta Downs, which includes a fourth-place finish while facing better in the event last campaign. By Kela, the five-year-old has been especially consistent in her lifetime to this point by winning or placing in 19 of her 22 career appearances. The Iowa-bred miss closed well to finish a head second in a local allowance test in advance of this affair, and with even slight improvement, the chestnut could surely be the one at a decent price.

Trained by Henry Guillory Jr., the top contender boasts a fine turn of foot and will have a swift and contested pace for which to rally into while facing this cast. Regular pilot Alex Birzer retains the mount.

#5 Sweet Temperament (4-1) isn’t all that flashy, but the four-year-old continues to deliver for conditioner Keith Bourgeois. The dark bay daughter of Temple City dons a nifty 7-5-2-0 career mark that is highlighted by a trio of wins in succession leading up to her stakes debut. The speedy contender is 2-for-2 at Delta Downs in her lifetime, and it seems very logical to me that she will deliver another good performance on Friday while making her second start off the layoff. The Cajun-bred filly will be forwardly placed from the opening bell beneath Joe Stokes.

Orleans S. selections

• #1 Sassy Beast (10-1)
• #4 Kela’s Turn (9-2)
• #5 Sweet Temperament (4-1)

Orleans S. wagers

• $1 trifecta: 1,4 with 1,4,5 with all ($24)
• $1 trifecta: 1,4 with all with 1,4,5 ($24)