How to bet the 2024 Arlington Stakes

Kicking off a six-pack of black-type events on the Stephen Foster Preview Day card at Churchill Downs on Saturday is the $275,000 Arlington S. (G3). The event is to be run at 1 1/16 miles on the lawn and attracted a solid field of eight. I feel that there will be enough early speed in the field to set things up for my pair of top selections in the tilt. 

Arlington Wagers

• $20 win #6 Chasing the Crown ($20)
• $10 exacta box 1-6 ($20)
• $1 trifecta 1,6 with 1,2,3,6 with 1,2,3,6 ($12) 

Mike Maker’s #6 Chasing the Crown has been first or second in seven of his last eight tries and could break through with his first stakes triumph in his second career graded try. The son of Skipshot, who brought $285,000 at auction in 2021, is a sterling 3-for-3 on the course in his lifetime and possesses a stout turn of foot when he’s on his game. 

Chasing the Crown finished fifth while beaten by three lengths in the Fair Grounds S. (G3) two back, but that outing came over soft going and I feel that the condition of the surface compromised his chances to some extent. Even in defeat, the five-year-old has come up against the likes of Up to the Mark, Strong Quality, Easter, et al. He will not be overmatched against this bunch with Joel Rosario taking the reins. And, he could go postward at a nice number, too. 

#1 Ottoman Fleet is the most logical one in the turf event for Charlie Appleby. This Sea the Stars gelding finished second by a neck in aiming to defend his Fort Marcy (G2) title in his most recent performance, and even minor improvement will make the gelding a formidable foe against this cast. The hard-trying bay has won or placed in 15 of his 17 lifetime attempts to date, and his draw on the fence seems like a beneficial one to him. 

The Godolphin color bearer will tuck in a pocket from behind the early tempo before firing in the lane with Flavien Prat in the stirrups for the initial time. 

Multiple Grade 3 hero #2 Emmanuel and 2023 River City (G3) star #3 Smokin’ T also merit inclusion for the exotics.