How to bet the Beholder Mile

Champion Unique Bella leads a compact but talented field of six to the post in Saturday’s $400,000 Beholder Mile Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita Park.

MUNNY SPUNT (#1) – Former claimer was outrun in a recent allowance dash and looks up against it. Munnings filly picked up a Grade 3 tally in the summer but needs a huge leap forward to contend today.

MOPOTISM (#2) – One of two from the Doug O’Neill barn, bagged the La Canada (G2) on this course in January, and makes a first appearance since failing in a lawn experiment. Hard-knocking Uncle Mo filly is eligible to earn a placing if one of the top three fails to fire.

LA FORCE (#3) – Paddy Gallagher pupil is consistent and had a nice prep for this when a closing fourth in the Adoration Stakes (G3). Dark bay filly could get a piece from off the pace behind an expected contested tempo.

PARADISE WOODS (#4) – Dual Grade 1-winning starlet is fast and classy for Richard Mandella. Union Rags filly chased lone speed before tiring in the seven-furlong Santa Monica Stakes (G2) last out but will improve today. One to catch has trained well and gets the slight nod in her second run of 2018.

VALE DORI (#5) – Grade 1 heroine from the mighty Bob Baffert barn didn’t fire in her six-year-old debut when unplaced in the Adoration. Daughter of Asiatic Boy amassed four graded wins last season and shouldn’t be overlooked under Rafael Bejarano.

UNIQUE BELLA (#6) – Jerry Hollendorfer trainee boasts a superb 7-6-1-0 mark at Santa Anita and received the ideal outside post today. Gray Tapit filly can be untouchable when at her very best. Four-year-old also shows a quartet of strong morning drills recently. 

Analysis

Paradise Woods drew inside of her two main foes and figures to shoot to the front from the break. Vale Dori and Unique Bella always run on or forcing the tempo, and will not let the pacesetter get away.

The inner trio of four-year-old fillies will take back and hope for a speed duel, which is quite possible.

In the end I am siding with Paradise Woods. Although unplaced in a single try at one mile, I think the trip is right in her wheelhouse. She will lead at every call.

Wager

$10 Tri 4-6-5 = $10

$10 Tri Key 4 with 5,6 = $20

$3 Tri Key 4 with 5,6 with all = $24