How to bet the July 3 stakes at Prairie Meadows

A trio of black-type events will take place at Prairie Meadows on Saturday.

Race 7 -- Iowa Distaff

A cast of six fillies and mares will travel 1 1/16 miles in a solid race. #1 Himiko (9-5) will make her first run since joining the Asmussen barn, and I like her chances. By American Pharoah, the $1 million yearling purchase has flashed plenty of potential on the West Coast over the past two seasons, and she lands in a field with capable, yet inconsistent, horses. Martin Garcia will guide the four-year-old.

Race 8 -- Iowa Sprint S.

The boys will dash six panels and a talented group of nine is on board. I expect a wicked and contested pace to be established in the heat, so I will tab a late runner to pull off the upset.

#2 Mollie’s Rocket (15-1) can’t keep up with the top ones in the field early, but that might be a blessing as he makes his second run of the year. Gelded son of Rock the Rock had an eventful trip when fourth off the shelf on the oval most recently, but he was perfect in his prior four outings, and the dark bay is training in lights-out fashion as of late. Regular pilot Corbett will be on board.

Race 9 -- Saylorville S.

Fillies and mares will travel six furlongs in the final stakes races of the evening. It will be very hard to upend #5 Frank’s Rockette (3-5) for Bill Mott, who has numerous live contenders at the venue over the weekend. By Into Mischief, the multiple Grade 2 heroine is the class of the field and received a perfect draw to have clear sailing throughout. She will be formidable with something like her best.

#6 Compelling Smile (15-1) doesn’t have a lot of appeal on top, but she has the running style to pass tired foes late and get a piece at a big number. Puhich pupil had run a pair of decent allowance races to commence her four-year-old season prior to going unplaced on the all-weather in the Chicago (G3) last time out. The Kentucky-bred has a big turn of foot on her best day, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see her complete the exacta beneath Rocco Bowen.