How to bet the Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes

A compact field of five sophomore fillies will travel 1 1/4 miles on the Belmont inner turf in Saturday’s $250,000 Belmont Oaks Invitational (G1).

Belmont Oaks Analysis

#5 Antoinette will race for the lead early on with #1 Setting the Mood never far back. I expect a slow tempo with the entire field within a few lengths of each other throughout.

Belmont Oaks Contenders

#1 SETTING THE MOOD -- Pletcher pupil has gone close in two straight allowance events and makes the big jump to Grade 1 company. Daughter of Lea is still winless on the turf and will need a hefty step forward to be a win threat beneath Saez.

#2 MAGIC ATTITUDE -- Group 3 heroine receives Lasix for her U.S. debut as a major player on Saturday. Galileo filly makes her first run for Delacour, and she has some class to her exiting a pair of Group 1 races in France most recently. Castellano has the assignment atop my top selection.

#3 KEY BISCAYNE -- Consistent chestnut was a solid third in the Saratoga Oaks last time out and could get a Grade-1 placing with a forward move in this spot. Juan Alvarado trainee will be coming from off the pace under Franco.

#4 NEIGE BLANCHE -- Anodin filly was a closing fourth in the Del Mar Oaks (G1) in her stateside bow for Powell. French import is a Group 3 winner at an extended distance on the green, and if she moves forward on Saturday, she will be right there late. Jose Lezcano picks up the mount.

#5 ANTOINETTE -- Recent Saratoga Oaks queen is a stakes winner on both turf and dirt for conditioner Bill Mott, and the race will go through her and pilot John Velazquez. Ultra-consistent Godolphin homebred is the expected pace of the field coming off a bullet morning drill on the Oklahoma at Saratoga. Daughter of Hard Spun graduated on the surface and looms large with her best.

Belmont Oaks Wagers

• $30 Win: #2 Magic Attitude ($30)
• $10 Exacta Box: 2-5 ($20)