How to bet the Bachelor Stakes

A strong field of nine will travel 6-panels in the $100,000 Bachelor S. at Oaklawn Park on Saturday. The cast is led by Grade 1 hero Eight Rings from the barn of Bob Baffert.

Bachelor Analysis

The pace of the Bachelor could be wicked with the trio of the fleetest horses in the field drawn outside. #7 Eight Rings, #8 Sir Rick, and #9 Long Weekend will all be sent from the break. I think the winner will come from off the pace some.

Bachelor Contenders

#1 LITTLE MENACE (4-1) -- One of two from the Asmussen barn, he closed to be a clear second in the recent Gazebo S. on the oval. $460,000 son of Into Mischief has been first or second in each of his four career outings, and rates a legitimate chance on Saturday with a lifetime best. Stewart Elliot rides.

#2 BEAU OXY (20-1) -- Mac Robertson charge was never a factor in the Gazebo and needs a swift form reversal to challenge this group in the stretch. Oxbow gelding will stalk the pace early with Canchari in the stirrups.

#3 ECHO TOWN (9-2) -- Top pick romped in the slop last out and seems poised for a breakthrough in his initial stakes endeavor. Talented Speightstown colt is training well as of late, and he figures to get a fine trip just off the pace beneath Santana.

#4 GINOBILI (6-1) -- Munnings colt didn’t fire when favored against allowance foes in his local debut for Baltas. Grade-2 placed youngster has obvious ability, but he will have to prove that he can handle the surface before being touted.

#5 LYKAN (8-1) -- Exotics contender was third-best in the Gazebo and could rally from the back to gain a share if the speed retreats in the lane. Congrats colt fired a bullet five-eighths on the course in preparation of the Bachelor.

#6 LIAM’S PRIDE (20-1) -- Doug O’Neill pupil has shown improvement since adding blinkers three back, and the gray has performed well from a trio of tries at the meeting. Kentucky-bred has longshot appeal, especially if he runs to his swift 5-furlong drill most recently.

#7 EIGHT RINGS (5-2) -- Class of the field makes his first run following an unplaced showing in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1). Empire Maker colt could be sitting on a big one following a bullet morning move on the surface in preparation of his comeback. Joel Rosario will be up.

#8 SIR RICK (30-1) -- Wildcard from the Diodoro barn adds blinkers on the cut back in trip on Saturday. Mine That Bird Derby winner faded after forcing a fast pace in the Oaklawn S., and he rates a chance with the equipment change at a price.

#9 LONG WEEKEND (3-1) -- Speedy son of Majesticperfection has led in wire-to-wire fashion in 3-of-4 lifetime performances for Amoss. An easy winner of the Gazebo last time out, the bay colt looms large with a repeat of his latest beneath Talamo.

Bachelor Wagers

• $20 Win: #3 Echo Town ($20)
• $2 Trifecta: 3 with with 7 with 5,6,8,9 ($8)
• $2 Trifecta: 3 with 5,6,8,9 with 7 ($8)