How to bet the 2024 Kilroe Mile Stakes

A total of nine grassy milers will run eight panels on the lawn in Sunday’s $300,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile S. (G1) at Santa Anita. The morning-line choice, #2 Easter (9-5), is 3-for-3 since arriving in the Golden State, and I don’t expect his streak to stop on this occasion.

Kilroe Wagers

• $25 exacta: 2 with 9 ($25)
• $6 exacta: 2 with 1,6 ($12)
• $2 trifecta: key 2 with 1,6,9 ($12)

Trained by Phil D’Amato, the six-year-old has parlayed his explosive late kick to measured victories in each of his last trio of assignments, and the French-bred has shown the versatility in winning from one mile to 1 1/8 miles, as well. The Exosphere gelding will receive a healthy pace to rally into with a pair of speedsters drawn on the outside of the cast. Antonio Fresu retains the mount.

#9 First Peace (10-1) is the most interesting longshot in the race, in my opinion, and I give the consistently good son of Funtastic a chance at an upset if the top pick falters. Trained by Mark Glatt, the colt has won or placed in each of his seven lifetime races on the lawn and has every right to improve second time running following a long layoff. The gray will track the pace from the second slot to the top of the lane and get first run on the deeper-closing types. Mike Smith will be in the stirrups for one of the hotter conditioners on the grounds.

#6 Du Jour (3-1), second in the event in 2023, makes his seasonal debut for Bob Baffert. The Grade 2 victor does his best work at Del Mar, as he displayed last season, but he has put in multiple good efforts on this course, as well, and he’s an obvious top-three threat. Flavien Prat taking the reins adds to his appeal. #1 Prince Abama (6-1) makes a first appearance in more than a year, and he prefers longer distances, but the D’Amato trainee is too consistent to be excluded in the exotics at a fair price. Frankie Dettori will be in the silks.