How to bet the Cardinal Stakes at Churchill Downs

A large field of 12 fillies and mares will run 1 1/8 miles on the Churchill Downs turf in Thursday’s $175,000 Cardinal (G3).

Cardinal Stakes Analysis

Stave will show speed from the rail, as will Notapradprice and Starship Jubilee. The tempo will be a healthy one, which could aid the late runners inside the final furlong.

Cardinal Stakes Wagers

• $4 Trifecta Key 11 with 8,9,10 =  $24
• $2 Trifecta 8,9,10 with 11 with 8,9,10 = $12

Cardinal Stakes contenders and morning line odds:

#1 STAVE (12-1) -- Stakes-placed lass from the Larry Jones barn could try and take this field all the way on the front end. Ghostzapper filly is three-for-five at Churchill Downs and will improve making her second run off the short layoff. Gabe Saez will be in the silks.

#2 KALLIO (12-1) -- Scat Daddy filly was a stakes vixen at Ellis Park three back, but she has finished unplaced in her last pair of assignments. Four-year-old Kentucky-bred has a strong turn of foot and has hit the board in both prior runs on this course. Tyler Gaffalione has the call.

#3 TWEETY SHOW (50-1) -- Longshot was a first-level allowance winner on the course most recently but faces a stiff class hike today. English Channel mare has solid current form, but she would be a surprise in the big field.

#4 MAROUBRA (8-1) -- Stakes-winning Lawman filly has placed just once from five starts since coming to the U.S. Four-year-old lass has done some of her best work on turf with some give to it, and her chances improve if there is moisture on the course. Julien Leparoux will ride.

#5 SMARTY EMMA (15-1) -- Dan Peitz pupil lacks consistency, but she owns a pair of local scores including a four-length triumph on the surface in the spring. Smart Strike mare will be commencing her run turning for home with Channing Hill in the stirrups.

#6 NOTAPRADPRICE (8-1) -- Paddy O’Prado mare owns a trio of wins and a close second from her last four turf assignments. Recent purchase makes her first since the barn change to Keeneally, and the bay will be forcing the tempo from the start on Thursday. Corey Lanerie inherits the mount.

#7 ENGLIGH SOUL (30-1) -- Longshot from the Sisterson shedrow is a stakes winner on the dirt but winless from six lifetime tries on the green. English Channel filly will need big improvement to be a factor late against this bunch with Declan Cannon taking the reins.

#8 LIMARI (4-1) -- Brad Cox trainee was a close third in the Mint Julep (G3) at Churchill Downs in June and had a fine prep when second at Keeneland most recently. Talented four-year-old has run well in both local affairs, and she is a sure win contender with expected improvement today.

#9 CASH OUT (15-1) -- Capable daughter of Street Cry enters with six consecutive top-three finishes for Arnold. Chestnut filly has the right running style to challenge for a grad placing in this affair with Chris Landeros signed on.

#10 SMART SHOT (10-1) -- One of two in the field for Rusty Arnold sports a nifty 6-3-2-0 mark on the course and could be the value of the race. Skipshot filly had a good tune-up when second in a local allowance event off the break, and her best showing will give her a chance under the guidance of Brian Hernandez Jr.

#11 STARSHIP JUBILEE (6-5) -- Grade 1 queen is the class of the field and will be tough to deny in her local debut. Canadian invader has picked up graded stakes wins in two races in succession, and her gate presence will help her overcome the tough post draw. Luis Contreras will pilot the deserving favorite.

#12 AREA (30-1) -- Recent stakes victress faces a tall task on the class rise from the widest post position. Asmussen pupil will have to prove herself at the level before being backed with this kind of opposition. Ricardo Santana Jr. gets the nod.