How to bet the New York Stakes

The New York at Saratoga attracted a high-class field of accomplished runners in what is a very challenging handicapping assignment, but I feel that I am up to the task. 

New York Wagers

• $20 win and place #6 Fev Rover ($40)
• 20-cent superfecta 6 with 2,5,10 with 2,5,10 with all ($12)
• 10-cent superfecta 2,5,10 with 6 with 2,5,10 with all ($6)

I think being forwardly placed, and/or saving ground, will be paramount in order to achieve success in this tilt. Of the horses that I consider to be major players in the event, two-time Grade 1 heroine #6 Fev Rover (8-1) stands out to me from a tactical standpoint. Trained by Mark Casse, the six-year-old ran some huge races in 2023, including what I thought was an excellent third in the Diana (G1) on this oval in the summer, and she will be fresh for her seasonal debut under Javier Castellano. 

The mare has very good early foot, and most of the other runners that are expected to be forwardly placed in the heat are drawn to her inside. She led throughout in her Beverly D. S. (G1) romp, and nearly at every call when drawing off in the E. P. Taylor S. (G1), and the Irish-bred will be forcing the tempo from the start on Friday. With a long run to the first turn, Fev Rover will have every chance to secure an ideal position at a fair price. And she will appreciate the expected moisture in the ground, as well. 

Bill Mott’s priceless #10 War Like Goddess (4-1) will make her seasonal debut and finished sixth in the race when it was contested at Belmont Park in 2023. The champion daughter of English Channel sports a 5-3-2-0 at The Spa, and while this distance is less than her ideal one, I feel that the expected give in the ground will play to her advantage in a big way. Kentucky-bred bay romped over a yielding course against the boys at Aqueduct in her penultimate start last season, and the fact that she stayed in training this campaign tells me that she continues to give positive signs to her connections. 

Godolphin’s #2 English Rose (3-1) was a solid runner-up in the Jenny Wiley (G1) in her first stateside outing and could appreciate the move to 1 3/16 miles. Charlie Appleby pupil is very honest with five top-two runs to start her career, and the Frankel filly will save ground throughout from this post slot. William Buick riding adds to her appeal. 

Group 3 victress #5 American Sonja (10-1) was a good second on this surface in her lone prior run in the states and comes off of a nice score at Longchamp most recently. Joseph O’Brien charge looks to be the type capable of running on any type of ground with turf wizard Franke Dettori in the controls.