How to bet the King Cotton Stakes

A talented field of eight will travel six furlongs in the $125,000 King Cotton S. at Oaklawn Park on Saturday. The one to beat is seven-time Oaklawn hero #4 Whitmore, who will make his 7-year-old debut in the feature for conditioner Ron Moquett.

King Cotton Analysis

#1 Share the Upside draws the rail and will be controlling speed off the layoff. The race will go through the son of Maclean’s Music.

King Cotton Wagers

• $20 Win:
  • #1 Share the Upside ($20)
• $1 Trifecta:
  • 1 with 4,7 with all ($12)

King Cotton Contenders

#1 SHARE THE UPSIDE (3-1) -- Asmussen pupil makes his first appearance since August and has compiled a nifty 4-3-1-0 local line. Ontario-bred gelding has pace in a field lacking it, and he looms large with a good break from the gate. Ricardo Santana Jr. has the assignment.

#2 HIDDEN RULER (15-1) -- Gemologist gelding has been first or second in 4-of-5 career outings at Oaklawn. John Ortiz trainee was a stakes second on the course sprinting in 2019, and the 4-year-old has some top-three appeal at a number.

#3 SILVER RIDE (6-1) -- Diodoro charge earned a lifetime best 101 BRIS Speed number in his local bow when defeating allowance foes most recently. Gray could be a danger with a repeat of his last, and the son of Candy Ride moves up on a wet surface, as well.

#4 WHITMORE (5-2) -- Class of the field commences his 2020 campaign on his favorite strip where he dons an 11-7-3-1 mark, with more than $1.2 million in earnings. Pleasantly Perfect chestnut was a stakes winner in his 2019 debut against similar off the bench, and he will be tough to hold off with his best. Joe Talamo rides.

#5 NUN THE LESS (9-2) -- Consistently good 8-year-old has won or placed in five of his last six stakes tries in preparation of the King Cotton. Chestnut has proven to be versatile going short or long on any kind of surface, and he possesses a strong late kick for Contreras. Rodney Prescott will guide the top-three threat.

#6 HOME RUN MAKER (10-1) -- Englehart trainee has failed to hit the board in four straight stakes races in succession in advance of his first local try. Kentucky-bred son of Into Mischief would be a surprise in his current negative form cycle.

#7 TRINGALE (15-1) -- Flat Out gelding has trained swiftly as of late and is a sneaky contender at a square price. Dark bay has early foot in a field lacking that quality, and he figures to have first run turning for home beneath Martin Garcia.

#8 WILBO (7-2) -- Win contender has won or placed in his last trio of stakes races, including a tally in the Aristides S. at Churchill Downs in June. Hartman pupil draws well outside of the sprint cast and will have clear sailing throughout with Channing Hill in the stirrups. 

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