How to bet the Eddie Read Stakes

A very competitive field of seven will travel nine furlongs on the Del Mar turf in Sunday’s $200,000 Eddie Read (G2).

Eddie Read Analysis

The pace will be controlled by #6 Neptune’s Storm, who figures to establish an honest early tempo. #3 Sharp Samurai will be forwardly placed in the early stages, with #7 United tracking that duo from third.

Eddie Read Contenders

#1 BOWIE’S HERO -- Defending champ from the d’Amato barn draws the rail for his second assignment of the season. Talented Artie Schiller 6-year-old had a fine tune-up when second in the American (G3) at Santa Anita to commence 2020, and he looms large with something close to his best on Sunday. Prime player will save ground while stalking the pace early on.

#2 ORIGINAIRE -- Mullins pupil has excellent current form and exits a big try in the Charles Whittingham (G2). Zoffany colt cuts back in distance and has run well in two of his three previous tries on the Del Mar lawn. Versatile colt will rally from off the pace under Rispoli.

#3 SHARP SAMURAI -- American third is very consistent and sports a 7-2-3-0 local line, which includes a solid fourth in the race last season. Mark Glatt trained son of First Samurai will improve in his second off the shelf, and he is a logical exotics contender with something resembling his best.

#4 COMBATANT -- Grade 1 hero is 0-for-8 on the turf lifetime and lands in a tough spot to earn his first grassy win. Scat Daddy five-year-old showed little in the Oaklawn H. (G2) most recently and is hard to endorse against this cast.

#5 CLEOPATRA’S STRIKE -- Second of two major contenders from the d’Amato barn has been second in each of his four tries at the distance. Smart Strike gelding makes his second start of the campaign following a flat showing in the American, but he gets more ground to work with in his return to Del Mar. Chestnut will improve and challenge for a share late beneath Cedillo.

#6 NEPTUNE’S STORM -- Baltas trainee is Grade-1 placed on the oval and comes off a game score in the San Francisco Mile (G3) at Golden Gate. Consistently good son of Stormy Atlantic has never missed the board from five attempts at 9 furlongs, and his tactical speed makes him very dangerous in a cast without a slew of pace. Drayden Van Dyke will ride the obvious contender.

#7 UNITED -- Mandella trainee has run big in each race dating back to last summer. Gelded son of Giant’s Causeway has won a pair of Grade 2 events in succession, and he owns a first and a second from two outings on the course, as well. Chestnut cuts back in distance but is still a must use as the class of the field.

Eddie Read Wagers

• $15 Win and Place: #1 Bowie’s Hero ($30)
• $1 Superfecta: 1 with 2,6,7 with 2,6,7 with all ($24)