How to bet the Kelso Stakes

Battle of Midway (c) Benoit Photo

The $300,000 Kelso Handicap (G2) at Belmont Park on Saturday will see seven go postward in the one-turn mile feature. And a logical case could be made for any horse in the field.

BATTLE OF MIDWAY (#1) (2-1) – Reigning Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) hero ran a good second in his 2018 debut at Del Mar last out. Jerry Hollendorfer trainee is classy and will improve second time off the long absence. Smart Strike colt shows a pair of bullet drills recently.

TIMELINE (#2) (8-1) – Dual Grade 3 winner is racing into shape and form for Chad Brown. Four-year-old son of Hard Spun could be sitting on a big effort off the short freshener. Javier Castellano rides.

REALM (#3) (10-1) – Barclay Tagg trainee upset the Alydar Stakes at Saratoga in advance of today. Haynesfield gelding has never been better for a barn off to a fast start at Belmont.

NO DOZING (#4) (4-1) – Talented son of Union Rags finished a solid fifth in the Forego Stakes (G1) most recently despite a very wide voyage. Arnaud Delacour pupil could peak third time off the shelf in his local debut.

STILL HAVING FUN (#5) (8-1) – Grade 2 victor will face his elders for the initial time. Old Fashioned colt took the Woody Stephens Stakes (G2) here two back and will be closing from the back beneath Joel Rosario.

PATTERNRECOGNITION (#6) (9-2) – Second contender from the Chad Brown barn has posted 103 BRIS Speed figures in two races in succession. Five-year-old son of Adios Charlie brings pace and form to the field in his stakes bow.

SUNNY RIDGE (#7) (3-1) – Jason Servis trainee draws outside and cuts back after a solid run in the Woodward Stakes (G1) at nine furlongs. Millionaire son of Holy Bull was superb in a stakes triumph at Belmont two back. Manny Franco will be in the stirrups.

ANALYSIS

The quartet of Battle of Midway, Timeline, Patternrecognition and Sunny Ridge will be forwardly placed early. I expect the tempo to be honest and contested, and I will search for a runner sitting just off the pace.

No Dozing ran a sneaky good one in the Forego behind a fine field with a demanding trip. Gelding looks to be set-up for a leap forward today en route to a first graded tally.

WAGER

$20 Win and Place #4 NO DOZING = $40
$1 Trifecta 4 with all with all = $30
$.50-cent Superfecta 4 with 1,2,7 with all with all $30

Good Luck!