How to bet the Mister D Stakes on various budgets

Domestic Spending wins the Saratoga Derby (Coglianese Photos)

August 12th, 2021

A top-heavy field of 10 will contest the $600,000 Mister D S. (G1) at Arlington Park on Saturday. The 1 1/4-mile turf endeavor, formerly known as the Arlington Million, features a trio of standout performers that will have a major say in the outcome in the field.

I believe that all wagers have to go through #3 Domestic Spending (6-5) for conditioner Chad Brown. The spectacular son of Kingman has roared home to capture a trio of Grade 1 races in succession dating back to last season, and showed his best form to date in the Manhattan S. (G1) last time out at Belmont Park. In that offering, the four-year-old was a dominant winner at 10 furlongs and registered a whopping 109 Brisnet Speed figure, too. His punishing turn of foot will be too much for his nine rivals on Saturday beneath Flavien Prat.

#5 Zulu Alpha (8-1) is a classy Grade 1 victor who is the value of the field. The Mike Maker pupil bagged the 2020 Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) with ease at a similar distance, and I won’t look too much into his unplaced showing off the layoff in the recent Arlington S. (G3). The gelded son of Street Cry has been an excellent performer over the past two seasons, and he rates a logical chance with Saez coming in to ride.

Group 2 winner #9 Armory (9-2) is one of two European invaders in the cast. Trained by Aidan O’Brien, the Galileo colt has faced top company since his juvenile season and the Coolmore homebred will be dangerous with anything resembling his best effort. Ryan Moore makes the trek in to guide the four-year-old.

Beyond the top trio, I will be including both #2 Glynn County (12-1) and #4 Two Emmys (10-1) in the deeper vertical exotics. Each is in good form and seems poised for a positive result on Saturday.