How to bet With, and Against, Major Dude in the Kitten's Joy Stakes

A total of eight three-year-olds will travel 1 1/16 miles on the Gulfstream Park lawn in Saturday’s $175,000 Kitten’s Joy S. (G3). #4 Major Dude (5-2), one of two in the cast for conditioner Todd Pletcher, has been installed as the morning-line choice in the competitive tilt. The Grade 2 victor has shown nice improvement since moving to the green for his fourth career start and looms large with his top effort.

Major Dude handled a yielding turf course with ease at Aqueduct in October while making his initial try on the sod, powering home a one-length winner over a solid field. By Bolt d’Oro, the $550,000 yearling purchase capped his juvenile campaign with a ninth-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) at Keeneland.

The Spendthrift colorbearer commenced 2023 with a rallying and clear runner-up result in the Dania Beach S. on the surface and shows two solid morning drills since in advance of his second try off the layoff. Kentucky-bred colt possesses good tactical speed and will be in range at the top of the stretch with regular pilot Irad Ortiz Jr. in the silks.

#5 Lights on Broadway (5-1) gave a fine account of himself in his first turf try when second-best in the recent Pulpit S. One of two in the field for Mark Casse, the $250,000 son of City of Light owns a stakes win on the all-weather here and brings fine form to the field with a trio of successive top-two finishes overall. The bay colt earned a hefty Brisnet Late Pace number in his lone run on the turf to date, and he will be dangerous in the lane with even minor improvement beneath Jose Morelos.

#1 Candidate (3-1) has rolled to three wins from three turf tries to date and will be the one to catch from the rail. Trained by Arnaud Delacour, the Exaggerator chestnut was never challenged in the Dania Beach while making his local bow and rates an obvious chance with even minor improvement. Tyler Gaffalione will be in the stirrups.

Graham Motion’s #2 Souzak (8-1) figures to move forward in his second run since his importation from France. The $392,000 Arqana Arc Sale purchase didn’t have a smooth voyage in the Dania Beach most recently, but the Kodiac colt displayed a lot of ability as a juvenile and could surprise at a nice number. Joel Rosario retains the mount.

Major Dude – With

• $1 superfecta 4 with 1,2,5 with 1,2,5 with all ($36)
• 50-cent superfecta 4 with 1,2,5 with all with 1,2,5 ($18)

Major Dude – Against

• $2 trifecta 1,2,5 with 1,2,4,5 with 1,2,4,5 ($36)
• $2 exacta box 1,2,5 ($12)