How to bet the Speakeasy Stakes

A total of nine juveniles will travel 5 1/2 panels on the Santa Anita lawn in Saturday’s $100,000 Speakeasy S. The winner of the grassy dash will receive an entry to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Keeneland on November 6.

Speakeasy Analysis

The early tempo of the Speakeasy will be fast and contested, with at least four contenders knocking heads in the early going.

Speakeasy Contenders

#1 THE GREAT ONE (6-1) -- $125,000 yearling purchase draws the difficult rail slot for his debut as one of three in the cast for O’Neill. Son of Nyquist is the first foal out of a stakes heroine and is training well in preparation of the Speakeasy, but I would prefer to see one before siding with the colt.

#2 NO PEDIGREE (6-1) -- Dark bay son of Half Ours fetched a bid of $185,000 in the summer and could be ready to roll on debut. O’Neill charge is bred to be an early type with speed, and his works indicate that he has ability, as well. Cajun-bred will be live at first asking with Mario Gutierrez aboard.

#3 BASQUE MAN (20-1) -- Third from the O’Neill shedrow is cut out to handle more ground, and his recent gate drill hints that he will be a better prospect with seasoning. Juan Hernandez will be up.

#4 COMMANDER KHAI (3-1) -- Baltas trainee impressed in graduating on the lawn at Del Mar in his second career start last time out. Twirling Candy colt has flashed big early speed on both occasions to date, and the win threat will be in the mix from the opening bell beneath Rispoli.

#5 AMANZI YIMPILO (7-2) -- Top pick faces the boys for superb juvenile conditioner Wesley Ward. $300,000 daughter of No Nay Never was an easy debut winner on the Gulfstream sod prior to finishing a solid third in the swiftly run Bolton’s Landing S. at Saratoga. Chestnut removes the blinkers for her local bow, and she will take command from just off the pace beneath Saez.

#6 FURY KAP (6-1) -- Wildcard in the cast makes her first appearance for Sadler after being privately purchased following a dominant win at Tampa Bay. Gelded son of Fury Kapcori comes in fresh with a good string of morning moves in the Golden State, and he will be another who will be forwardly placed early in the Speakeasy.

#7 WYFIRE (7-2) -- Dominus colt will make his first run for Miller following a sharp score on the dirt at Del Mar. $55,000 yearling purchase is by a solid grass sire, and is kin to a pair of winners on the lawn, as well. Turf ace Flavien Prat has the assignment.

#8 WINDY CITY RED (15-1) -- Chitu colt forced the pace and inched clear to win on debut at Golden Gate for Wong. Second timer didn’t come home swiftly in his tally, and I think he might be up against it on Saturday while facing a strong cast.

#9 FEATHERS (12-1) -- Intriguing import is the second filly in the field with a winning chance. Daughter of Zoffany gets a nice draw outside for her stateside bow, and she might be moving best of all late on the cutback in distance for Peter Miller. Chestnut is of great value at her morning-line price.

Speakeasy Wagers

• $10 Exacta: 5 with 2,4,9 ($30)
• $5 Trifecta Key: 5 with 2,4,9 ($30)