Keeneland: How to bet the Alcibiades Stakes

A full field of 14 juvenile fillies will travel 1 1/16 miles over the Keeneland main surface in Friday’s $500,000 Alcibiades S. (G1). In addition to the lucrative purse in the affair, the winner will also receive an automatic entry to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies S. (G1) on the surface on Nov. 4.

There are numerous contenders in the deep field of fine prospects, and I feel compelled to find some value in the heat. #5 Xigera (5-1) impressed from a pair of turf races at Saratoga in the summer and might possess as much raw talent as any filly in the field. Trained by Phil Bauer, the daughter of Nyquist ran second on debut prior to posting a stylish, 5 3/4-length victory at The Spa while being eased up late.

The $190,000 yearling purchase has displayed good gate presence from two lifetime tries to date, and in a huge field, early speed is a big asset to own. And while she is a mystery on the dirt, I expect the precocious Kentucky-bred to handle the transition and upset this cast at a nice price beneath Joe Talamo.

Mark Casse’s #1 Wonder Wheel (9-2) romped in her first pair of sprint assignments, prior to coming home a solid second in the Spinaway S. (G1) last time out. By Into Mischief, the $275,000 yearling buy has been well-touted by her connections this campaign and seems poised for a good result while making her two-turn debut. The Kentucky-bred has been training well as of late and will be saving ground to the top of the lane with Tyler Gaffalione in the silks.

I really liked the closing maiden tally put forth by the D. Wayne Lukas-trained #12 Take Charge Briana (15-1) most recently. The Curlin bay missed the break and was last to the top of the lane in her latest venture, but she rallied steadily and came out on top while coming home in swift fashion in the seven-furlong tilt. The February foal will likely break better on Friday, and I also believe that she will thrive with the added ground, too. Flavien Prat retains the mount.

#9 Fun and Feisty (7-2) put in a huge late run to eclipse the Pocahontas S. (G3) last time out for Kenny McPeek. The dark bay daughter of Midshipman will be a major contender late with anything resembling her latest endeavor. Julien Leparoux retains the mount.

Alcibiades Wagers

$.50-cent trifecta: 1,5 with 1,5,9,12 with all ($36)

$.10-cent superfecta: 1,5 with 1,5,9,12 with 1,5,9,12 with all ($13.20)

$1 exacta box: 1,5,9,12 ($12)