How to bet the Acorn Stakes

A talented field of seven sophomore fillies will go one-mile at Belmont Park on Saturday in the $300,000 Acorn (G1).

Acorn Analysis

The pace of the Acorn will be established by the unbeaten #1 Gamine from the rail. #2 Lucrezia and #4 Casual will track the pacesetter from the break through expected moderate early fractions.

Acorn Contenders

#1 GAMINE -- $1.8 million purchase has led at every call from her pair of races for Baffert. Into Mischief filly passed her two-turn test at Oaklawn Park most recently, and I expect her to thrive on the cutback in trip and returning to one-turn racing on Saturday. John Velazquez will guide the dangerous contender.

#2 LUCREZIA -- Multiple stakes heroine has been consistently good in her career and came home a solid runner-up in the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) last time out. Delacour charge has been first or second in every dirt race to date, and I feel that she is another who could prosper cutting back to one-turn in the Acorn.

#3 WATER WHITE -- Rudy Rod pupil was last seen upsetting the Busher S. at Aqueduct in her latest endeavor. Gray by Conveyance will have to run a life-time best off the bench to challenge this fine crew, however.

#4 CASUAL -- Well-bred Curlin filly has run to her pedigree to this stage of her development following a pair of impressive sprint tallies. Asmussen trainee has displayed a powerful late kick in both races so far, and the 102 BRIS Late Pace number she earned in her allowance win hints that the extra furlong will not pose a problem for her on Saturday.

#5 GLASS CEILING -- Daughter of Constitution rides in on a two-race win streak for Gargan. Recent Gulfstream allowance vixen has improved her BRIS Speed figure in every lifetime appearance, and another step forward could give her an exotics chance in her first Grade 1 try.

#6 PLEASANT ORB -- Tagg trainee ran one of her best races when a good third in the Hollywood Wildcat S. most recently. Orb homebred could improve second time off the short break in her Belmont debut, but she will need a big move forward to challenge for the win inside the final furlong in the Acorn. Manny Franco will be in the stirrups.

#7 PERFECT ALIBI -- Casse Grade 1 queen was a sharp second in the 2019 Astoria S. in her lone prior run over “Big Sandy”. Sky Mesa filly concluded her juvenile season with a good fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), and she has trained in smart fashion for a long time with this affair always in mind. Irad will pilot the dark bay.

Acorn Wagers

• $10 Trifecta Key: 4 with 1,2,7 ($60)