How to bet with, and against, Letruska in the Spinster Stakes

An excellent field of seven fillies and mares will go postward in Sunday’s $500,000 Spinster S. (G1) at Keeneland. The nine-furlong “Win and You’re In” feature will reward the winner of the affair with a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) at Del Mar on Nov. 6.

The streaking #4 Letruska (4-5) is a head shy of being unbeaten from six starts in 2021 and looms large while making her local debut. The Mexican champion has been stellar this season while amassing a trio of Grade 1 wins from her last four tries, and she has been training in lights-out fashion on the Keeneland strip as of late, too. Keeping the standout mare out of the top-three seems unlikely if she runs anything close to her best race.

Trained by Fausto Gutierrez, the five-year-old daughter of Super Saver is the clear speed of the field and will be the one to catch and beat on Sunday. Regular pilot Irad Ortiz Jr. will be in the silks once again.

#2 Bonny South (9-2) has been runner-up to the favorite in two of her previous tries, including a closing second in the Personal Ensign S. (G1) at Saratoga last time out. Trained by Brad Cox, the stout late runner is a graded stakes winner on the surface, and the chestnut is ultra-consistent with room for improvement in just her second assignment since July. Florent Geroux will guide the Munnings four-year-old.

#6 Crystal Ball (5-1) is coming into her own as of late and seems poised for another positive performance in this affair. The bay daughter of Malibu Moon was an excellent second in the Locust Grove S. (G3) at Churchill Downs last time out and has shown continued progression this campaign for Brisset. The four-year-old has never missed the board at the trip, and her swift works on the course indicate that she will run big in her local bow, as well.

Wager with Letruska

• $20 trifecta key 4 with 2,6 ($40)

Wager against Letruska

• $2 trifecta 2,6 with 2,4,6 with all ($40)