How to bet the H. Allen Jerkens Stakes

A fine field of 11 sophomores will travel 7 panels in Saturday’s $300,000 H. Allen Jerkens (G1). The well-matched group is full of strong contenders in what is arguably the best betting race on a sensational card at the Spa.

Allen Jerkens Analysis

#2 Eight Rings, #6 No Parole, and #11 Tap It To Win will each leave from the gate to ensure that there is a strong early tempo.

Allen Jerkens Contenders

#1 HOPEFUL TREASURE -- Pino trainee was a decent fourth in the Gold Fever S. at Belmont most recently. Oxbow 3-year-old has never faced a field of this quality, and he draws the impossible rail post in a big field. Manny Franco will guide the longshot.

#2 EIGHT RINGS -- Grade 1 victor from the Baffert barn was unplaced in the Bachelor S. in his 2020 debut. Empire Maker colt has trained in fine fashion since, however, and the dark bay is a dangerous pace player with Rosario taking the reins.

#3 SONNEMAN -- Dangerous Curlin colt is one of three contenders from the Asmussen barn. Stout late runner makes his second start since arriving in this barn, and he could be moving best of all late behind a fast and contested pace. Kentucky-bred has good value with Lezcano in the controls.

#4 ECHO TOWN -- Top pick has never run a bad race and exits a smart second in the Woody Stephens (G1) for Asmussen. Speightstown colt shows a bullet work on the course two back, and his stalking style will allow him to get first run on the deep closers. Santana stays in the silks.

#5 MISCHEVIOUS ALEX -- Multiple Grade 3 victor makes his Saratoga debut for John Servis as a prime contender. Into Mischief colt tired late after chasing lone speed in the Woody Stephens most recently but figures to receive a much better trip on Saturday. Irad takes the call.

#6 NO PAROLE -- Fleet Grade 1 winner led throughout in an easy Woody Stephens tally in his most recent offering. Cajun-bred son of Violence is 5-for-6 lifetime and sizzled a bullet half-mile on the oval last week to signal his readiness for Saturday. Luis Saez will be sending the colt from the start.

#7 SHOPLIFTED -- Hard-trying son of Into Mischief broke his maiden at Saratoga prior to finishing second in the 2019 Hopeful (G1). Asmussen pupil exits an even third in the Woody Stephens and could rally for a minor share with a step forward in the Jerkens.

#8 THREE TECHNIQUE -- Smarty Jones S. runner-up was a fine maiden winner at the Spa as a juvenile for Englehart. Mr Speaker colt comes in fresh for his first run since March, and the dark bay will be a dangerous late player off the shelf beneath Jose Ortiz.

#9 LIAM’S PRIDE -- Gold Fever S. victor ran a lifetime best over sloppy going at Belmont most recently, but he lacks the overall consistency to be endorsed with confidence on Saturday.

#10 CAPTAIN BOMBASTIC -- Second of two from the Englehart shedrow has won or placed in each of his six lifetime engagements to date. Empire State-bred comes off a nice tally in the Mike Lee S., but he faces a much tougher assignment against this fine group. Consistently good sophomore will have Castellano in the irons.

#11 TAP IT TO WIN -- Wildcard in the field draws widest of all for Casse. Tapit 3-year-old is a winner on the surface and is capable of running huge, but the post combined with the other pace in the field makes this a daunting task for the Kentucky-bred. John Velazquez retains the mount.

Allen Jerkens Wagers

• $1 Superfecta Key: 4 with 2,3,5,7,8 ($60)