How to bet with, and against Field Pass, in the BWI Turf Cup Stakes at Pimlico

A small field of six will travel eight grassy furlongs in the feature at Pimlico on Saturday, the $200,000 Baltimore/Washington International Turf Cup (G3). The headliner is one of four black-type events on the strong card, and it is led by Mike Maker’s #1 Field Pass (8-5). The gray son of Lemon Drop Kid is a deserving favorite in the cast, and below I will give my strategies for handicappers that are siding with the favorite, and a play for the bettors hoping to upend the morning-line choice.

Field Pass -- With

The four-year-old has kept fine company throughout his career, especially this campaign. Bred in Maryland, Field Pass hooked a pair of Grade 1 fields prior to running a good fourth in the recent Wise Dan S. (G2) at Churchill Downs. The colt will receive a measure of class relief at Pimlico.

A winner at the distance, the four-year-old also possesses excellent positional speed to secure a sensible trip from the rail. Field Pass will make his local debut under Victor Carrasco, and the pair will be sitting on the lead or in second from the opening bell.

I expect Field Pass to go off at something close to his morning-line number, perhaps as high as 2-1. A win bet is playable in the small field.

Wager

• $40 win #1 Field Pass ($40)

Field Pass -- Against

I think two horses pose the biggest threat to Field Pass. Godolphin homebred #4 Pixelate (2-1) is an obvious win contender coming off of two very good efforts on the course this season. Stidham pupil is a Grade 2 winner with some class to him, and he owns a strong late kick to run down the foes in front of him.

#5 English Bee (10-1) has not been very sharp in 2021, but could peak in his third effort off the layoff for Graham Motion. The five-year-old son of English Channel has had excuses in both of his runs in 2021, with trouble two back and racing on a "good" turf being among the main culprits recently.

Chestnut hasn’t won in a while, but on his best day the Kentucky-bred can really power home in the lane. I am expecting his best performance under Vargas.

Wager

• $2 trifecta 4,5 with 1,4,5 with all ($32)
• $4 trifecta 4,5 with 1,4,5 with 1,4,5 ($16)