How to bet the Royal Heroine Stakes

A massive field of 13 fillies and mares will go eight panels on the Santa Anita lawn in Saturday’s $100,000 Royal Heroine S. (G3). The unbeaten #2 Raw Ability (9-2) gets a true class test in her stakes debut against a strong cast, but I feel that the John Sadler trainee will be up to the task. By Belardo, the Irish-bred was an upset winner on debut in her native land in the summer, and then made a big last-to-first run in an allowance affair at Del Mar in her stateside bow in September. 

Royal Heroine Wagers

• $10 win and place #2 Raw Ability ($20)
• $3 trifecta key 2 with 6,9,13 ($18)
• 50-cent superfecta 2,6 with 2,6 with 9,13 with all ($18)

Raw Ability reappeared at Santa Anita in a second-level allowance tilt in March and tracked a slow pace before proving best in the lane to make it three wins in succession. The four-year-old has proven capable of running from far back or up close, and the bay has a lot of room for improvement, too. She comes in with a few smart morning drills and will have strong turf pilot Hector Berrios in the stirrups. 

#6 Tirupati (2-1) is the one to beat coming off a measured score in the Wilshire S. (G3) on this course in her latest venture. By Mitole, the ascending four-year-old faces a much more difficult task today, but the former claimer continues to move forward for Jonathan Thomas. The filly will be close to the tempo from the opening bell beneath Umberto Rispoli. 

#13 Lunar Impact (20-1) received a horrific post draw and has also been unraced since July, but the chestnut mare has plenty of ability. She could add a lot of value to the exotics in her comeback offering. The Dan Blacker trainee is two-for-three at this distance, has run well while fresh in the past, and the daughter of Zoustar also has the tactical speed to secure a sensible position in the early going of the contest. She is worth including at a nice number with Armando Ayuso riding. 

#9 Eternal Reign (12-1) is the most intriguing of the four D’Amato trainees to me. The Invincible Spirit four-year-old has won or placed in six races in succession, and while she takes a big class rise against this group, the filly surely is talented. She could grab a share with a step forward at a good price beneath Reylu Gutierrez. 

Join us for our upcoming LIVE blogs!

April 26 | LIVE open discussion with our experts before, during, and after the post position draw at Churchill Downs on opening night.

May 1-3 | LIVE coverage of Thurby, Oaks, and Kentucky Derby Day with exclusive up-to-date all-access trackside coverage. LIVE race odds, including Kentucky Derby odds, picks, entries for all the races, and so much more!

Don't miss a minute of the fun with your backstage pass to everything Kentucky Derby!