How to bet the Leonatus Stakes

A total of eight sophomores will travel one mile on the Tapeta at Turfway Park in the $125,000 Leonatus S. on Saturday. The race is led by a trio of contenders that interest me most and I will center my plays around the three of them. 

Leonatus Wagers

• $12 win and place #2 Baby Max ($24)
• $2 exacta box 2,6,7 ($12)
• $2 trifecta box 2,6,7 ($12)

#2 Baby Max might not possess the best win profile in the cast, but I really liked his first run on the oval and expect him to thrive in his second local experience. Trained by Kelsey Danner, the son of Maximus Mischief debuted at Keeneland in a sprint on the dirt and passed a lot of runners late when finishing fourth. The colt graduated when closing best of all in the lane in a route race at Churchill Downs two back, and he then rallied into a soft early tempo to just miss in an allowance heat on the course most recently. 

The bargain $20,000 yearling purchase received a nice draw near the rail to save ground to the top of the lane before being asked for his best in the stretch, and his rapid four-furlong drill on December 30 hints that he is rounding up to big effort on Saturday. Abel Cedillo retains the ride. 

Larry Rivelli’s #6 Can’t Deny It was an excellent debut winner on the grass at Fair Grounds and stretches out for his first local appearance with Gerardo Corrales taking the reins. The son of fine sire Justify showed speed and was quite professional in his unveiling, and the $135,000 yearling purchase is undoubtedly bred to handle this distance for a conditioner who is currently on a fine run at the current meeting, as well. The gelded chestnut will be prominent from the start and could be the one. 

Woodbine invader #7 Church and State didn’t earn a big Brisnet Speed figure in a recent allowance triumph north of the border, but the gray son of Caravaggio was impressive, nonetheless. The gray rallied from well back to be an eye-catching winner in his first appearance at seven panels and passed his initial test with winners in professional fashion, so I feel that he will be a formidable foe in this spot with Rafael Hernandez staying in the silks.