How to bet the Mint Millions Stakes

A huge field of 12 will travel one mile on the Kentucky Downs lawn in Saturday’s lucrative $2 million Mint Millions S. (G3). I’ll take a shot with #6 Ancient Rome (8-1) in his U. S. debut for trainer Charlie Hills. The well-bred son of War Front faced some heavy hitters in his native France as a three-year-old, and while he has possibly not been as sharp in 2023, the colt has still registered some decent results in the group ranks this campaign.

Mint Millions Wagers

$10 win and place #6 Ancient Rome ($20)
$3 exacta key box 6 with 8,10,12 ($18)
$1 exacta box 6,8,10,12 ($12)
$.30-cent superfecta 6,10 with 6,10 with 8,12 with all ($10.80)

Ancient Rome is capable of running on virtually any kind of surface, he comes in off of a victory, and the dark bay seems like a good fit going eight furlongs on this course, as well. Jamie Spencer coming in to retain the ride aboard the win contender is a major plus, too.
 
#10 Annapolis (8-5) is the class of the field and the obvious one to beat for trainer Todd Pletcher. The Grade 1 winner has been first or second in each of his trio of outings this season, which includes a smart runner-up performance in the Fourstardave H. (G1) at Saratoga last time out. The versatile son of War Front sports a 7-3-3-0 mark at the distance and could be placed anywhere early on in the heat, which will give Tyler Gaffalione a lot of options coming out of the gate. I do fear, however, taking a short price on him in a big field while he tries this unique course for the initial time.

#8 Churchtown (4-1) has a good measure of class to him and brings very good form to the field for trainer Roger Attfield. The gelded Air Force Blue four-year-old had a good prep for this test when a close fourth running seven-eighths at Woodbine most recently, and the bay has the gate presence to secure a good position early on in a big cast, as well. He drilled a bullet five panels on the lawn in advance of Saturday and will have Julien Leparoux in the irons.
 
#12 Max K. O. (30-1) has the early foot to overcome the widest post in the field, and the dark bay is also two-for-two on this surface, as well. The son of J P’s Gusto will make his third run since joining the barn of Mike Maker and could peak in this one coming off of a pair of solid stakes attempts in succession. James Graham will guide the Florida-bred who is worth including at a huge price.