Laurel: How to bet the Deputed Testamony Stakes

Seven older males will go 1 1/8 miles over the Laurel Park main surface in Saturday’s $100,000 Deputed Testamony S. I will look outside in the field for my top selections.

#7 Magic Michael (3-1) was runner-up in the contest in 2021 at Pimlico and looms large this season for trainer Jamie Ness. The chestnut son of Dramedy capped last year with wins in three consecutive outings, and although winless from a pair of 2022 endeavors, the gelding could peak in his third try off the shelf.

The bargain $5,000 yearling purchase has obviously outrun his price tag and reached his peak when taking the Greenwood Cup S. (G3) at Parx in September. Magic Michael isn’t very fleet early on, but the five-year-old can run all day, and I expect him to mow down this cast from off the pace on Saturday. The talented late runner will have Jaime Rodriguez in the controls.

#6 Commandeer (10-1) was placed over his head in two graded tries at Gulfstream Park in the winter and lands in a more reasonable spot for his return to action. The Jimmy Toner trainee was a smart allowance victor on the course in his initial try for this outfit last campaign, proving to me that he can fire off the layoff, as well as handle this locale.

The gelded son of Street Boss has some versatility in his running style, and I envision he will stalk the pace while in range from the early stages of the event. Victor Carrasco has the assignment.

#2 Tappin Cat (8-1) is a key exotics piece in the field for conditioner Gary Capuano. The Tritap six-year-old sports a 17-2-7-2 mark at Laurel Park in his lifetime, and the bay might be controlling speed in the field if he is asked for speed out of the gate. The Maryland-bred bay is not a great win proposition in my opinion, but I will include the six-year-old in many of my plays. Julio Hernandez picks up the mount.

Deputed Testamony Wagers

• $20 win: #7 Magic Michael ($20)
• $1 trifecta: 6, 7 with 2, 6, 7 with all ($20)
• $1 superfecta: 2, 6, 7 with 2, 6, 7 with 2, 6, 7 with all ($12)