How to bet the Pocahontas Stakes 2021

A berth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) at Del Mar on November 5 is on the line in the $300,000 Pocahontas S. (G3) at Churchill Downs on Saturday. The 1 1/16-mile affair for two-year-old fillies attracted a sizable field of 11 for the “Win and You’re In” challenge series event.

I came away quite impressed with #2 Goddess of Fire following her game tally on debut at Saratoga. Trained by Todd Pletcher, the half-sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Mind Control got away smartly from the gate at first asking to be well placed to the top of the stretch, before gamely wearing down a clear one in the lane like a professional runner.

Goddess of Fire took a lot of money in going off at 2-1 odds in her initial offering, and the way she finished the dash hints that she will thrive with the added ground with which to work on Saturday. The daughter of Mineshaft continues to train forwardly, she has tactical speed, and I love that she has a post close to the rail to save ground throughout this affair. The April foal could find herself on the front end in a cast lacking early foot. Javier Castellano has the call.

#5 Majestic d’Oro aired at first asking when dominating in the stretch over maiden special weight foes at Indiana Downs. The Brendan Walsh pupil blitzed her foes despite being behind a slow pace, and if that race was any indication of her abilities, the daughter of Speightster could be a really nice one with continued improvement. Martin Garcia will guide the chestnut.

I am not in love with #10 Lemieux for conditioner Mark Casse, but the recent maiden heroine has speed in a field lacking it, and the gray could hang around for a long time if she clears in the early stages of the contest. The $100,000 daughter of Nyquist has been first or second in each of her three races to date, and the Florida-bred could be a key exotics piece in the race beneath Tyler Gaffalione.

Pocahontas Wagers

• $30 win #2 Goddess of Fire ($30)
• $1 trifecta key 2 with 5,10 with all ($18)
• 50-cent trifecta 2 with all with 5,10 ($9)