How to bet the Salvator Mile Stakes

A field of eight will contest the Sunday feature at Monmouth in the $150,000 Salvator Mile (G3).

Salvator Mile Analysis

The pace will be fast and contested in the Salvator Mile. #3 Wind of Change and #6 Pirate’s Punch are the swiftest from the gate, while #2 Prendimi and #4 Top Line Growth will also be forwardly placed. I expect the winner to come from near the back early on.

Salvator Mile Contenders

#1 BAL HARBOUR (5-2) -- First Samurai gelding was third in this race last season and has run well in a pair of 2020 engagements for Sacco. Chestnut is a consistent Kentucky-bred who has won or placed in each of his six local tries to date as well. Chris Decarlo will guide the win threat.

#2 PRENDIMI (15-1) -- Jersey-bred comes off a stakes victory on the course and loves this surface, showing a 13-5-5-2 local line for Carvajal. Dance With Ravens gelding has pace but will need another step forward to challenge for the top prize on Sunday.

#3 WIND OF CHANGE (12-1) -- Brazilian invader was a game runner-up in the recent Russell Road S. at Charles Town when leading at nearly every call. Fleet son of Forestry makes his local bow in this spot, and the 5-year-old will be dangerous if he clears early on. Romero Maragh will be up atop the likely pacesetter.

#4 TOP LINE GROWTH (7-2) -- Grade 3-placed stakes hero was a dominant allowance winner in his seasonal bow in advance of his first run at Monmouth. Gelded bay has early presence and a sharp turn of foot, and his top effort makes him a sure-fire contender under local wizard Joe Bravo.

#5 GOLDEN BROWN (4-1) -- McBurney pupil is a four-time local victor on the surface and exits a fine second-place stakes showing. Dark bay son of Offlee Wild has gone unplaced in his last trio of tries with open company, but he wouldn’t be a total surprise from just off the pace under Paco Lopez.

#6 PIRATE’S PUNCH (3-1) -- Dark bay son of Shanghai Bobby has big early foot and was last seen crossing the wire first in the Philip H. Iselin (G3), before being disqualified to second, in his Monmouth debut. Kentucky-bred has been quite consistent dating back to last summer and is good enough to take this cast down, though the pace scenario is not a favorable one for him. Jorge Vargas will be in the silks.

#7 VALID POINT (6-1) -- Wildcard in the cast has gone unplaced in a trio of graded tires on the lawn in succession and will transfer to the main strip for the initial time. Grade 1 hero is bred to handle the main oval and shows a pair of promising morning drills on the dirt in preparation of Sunday. Son of Scat Daddy will have Gallardo in the stirrups. 

#8 NAME CHANGER (10-1) -- Upset pick makes his third try of 2020 and should be peaking for Duarte. Dark bay 7-year-old is a Grade 3 victor on the surface, and the son of Uncle Mo figures to receive a great trip from off the pace behind a swift early tempo. Hector Diaz has the call.

Salvator Mile Wagers

• $15 Win and Place: #8 Name Changer ($30)
• $1 Trifecta: 4,8 with 1,4,8 with all ($24)