How to bet the Bashford Manor Stakes

A field of seven juveniles will dash 6 furlongs in the $100,000 Bashford Manor (G3) at Churchill Downs on Saturday.

Bashford Manor Analysis

The pace of the Bashford Manor will be swift and contested from the start. Debut winners #1 Crown and Coke, #3 Gatsby, #6 Cazadero, and #7 County Final, each figure to be prominent from the opening bell.

While #2 Hulen is the less ballyhooed of the two Asmussen pupils, I loved his debut win and will tab him to come out victorious from off the pace at a decent price.

Bashford Manor Contenders

#1 CROWN AND COKE -- Gelded son of Aikenite is the wildcard in the field coming off a 13-length romp at Mountaineer Park. $1,000 yearling purchase switches barns, draws the rail, and also faces a massive class hike on Saturday. Miguel Mena will be in the controls.

#2 HULEN -- Upset pick chased lone speed to the top of the stretch and pulled clear in the lane to win on debut on the surface. Tapiture colt wheels back in just two weeks for Asmussen, and I love the aggressive move from a top juvenile conditioner. Corey Lanerie inherits the live mount.

#3 GATSBY -- Gulfstream invader was sharp in a first-out tally for Alvarado. Arindel homebred defeated a pair of solid prospects in that spot, and the Florida-bred could be the one with improvement in his Churchill Downs debut.

#4 HYPERFOCUS -- John Velazquez picks up the mount atop the Pletcher charge who was victorious on debut. Constitution colt shows a trio of solid morning moves in the interim and could be any kind going forward. Repole color bearer will look to rally from off the pace.

#5 HERD IMMUNITY -- $25,000 Union Rags colt backed up his 3-5 odds at first offering with a nice score for fine 2-year-old trainer Peter Miller. Santa Anita import didn’t set the teletimer on fire in his win, and he must also overcome racing on a new surface, as well. Brian Hernandez Jr. will be in the silks.

#6 CAZADERO -- Superb debut winner led throughout following a tardy break in a powerful tally on the oval for Asmussen. Stonestreet homebred is out of a very fast mare and could be following in her footsteps. Ricardo Santana Jr. opts for the likely favorite over her stablemate.

#7 COUNTY FINAL -- Oxbow gray raced on the turf at Churchill at first go and led at every call en route to a four-length triumph. John Ennis trainee draws outside for his stakes debut, and the colt should be part of the early action at the very least after blazing on the lawn on debut. James Graham has the assignment.

Bashford Manor Wagers

• $20 Win: #2 Hulen ($20)
• $3 Exacta Key Box: 2 with 3,4,6 ($18)