How to bet the 2023 Zenyatta Stakes

A compact field of four will go postward in the $200,000 Zenyatta S. (G2) at Santa Anita on Sunday. The race will go through Bob Baffert’s #1 Adare Manor (2-5) who is the pace of the affair from the rail, but I have to try and upend the heavy favorite in this tilt. 

Zenyatta Wagers

• $30 exacta 2 with 1 ($30)
• $20 exacta 1 with 2 ($20)

Richard Mandella has a pair of contenders that will go in the heat, including the razor-sharp #2 Micro Share (5-1). By Upstart, the four-year-old filly has morphed into a new animal since the blinkers were removed three back as she has reeled off a trio of victories in succession. The dark bay is surely in the peak form of her lifetime, and while she lacks the back class of her foes, she has a lot of appeal to me. 

Micro Share broke her maiden on this oval last year and continues to train forwardly in preparation for her toughest assignment to date. The filly is worth a play at a nice price with Mike Smith taking the reins. 

Recent Clement L. Hirsch (G1) queen Adare Manor is a formidable foe as the one to catch and beat without question. The excellent Uncle Mo filly has been a top performer since her juvenile campaign and does her best work locally, with a record of 8-5-3-0. Kentucky-bred four-year-old doesn’t need the lead in order to win, but she is quick and seems to have a major edge early on against this group. Purchased for $375,000 as a two-year-old, the accomplished lass shows four wins in succession and her best performance will make her nearly impossible to topple with go-to pilot Juan Hernandez in the stirrups. 

I have a lot of respect for both 2022 Santa Anita Oaks (G2) heroine #3 Desert Dawn (4-1) and Grade 2 victress #4 Window Shopping (5-1), but I don’t feel that the shape of the race will benefit either of them.