How to bet with, and against, Medina Spirit in the Awesome Again Stakes

An outstanding field of eight will aim for a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on Nov. 6 in Saturday’s $300,000 Awesome Again S. (G1) at Santa Anita. The nine-furlong test on the dirt has attracted multiple Grade 1 winners to the cast in what appears to be an ultra-competitive rendition of the race.

Awesome Again Stakes Wagers

Medina Spirit -- With

• $20 trifecta 5 with 3 with 7,8 ($40)
• $10 trifecta 5 with 7,8 with 3 ($20)

Medina Spirit -- Against

• 50-cent superfecta 3 with 7,8 with all with all ($30)
• 50-cent superfecta 7,8 with 3 with all with all ($30)

Kentucky Derby (G1) first-place finisher #5 Medina Spirit (5-2) skipped a previous assignment to land in this spot and gets a real test in his first run with elders. The sophomore colt has never finished worse than third in his eight-race career, which includes four top-two finishes at The Great Race Place from as many local tries.

Conditioned by Bob Baffert, the speedy son of Protonico has been training in swift fashion in advance of Saturday, and he will be forcing the pace from the opening bell with John Velazquez returning to ride. If he clears early on, he'lll prove to be stubborn in the latter stages once again.

I have a lot of interest in #3 Express Train (4-1) for conditioner John Shirreffs. The Union Rags colt didn’t fire in the Pacific Classic (G1) most recently, but had hit the board in his three previous Grade 1 attempts. He also does some of his best work at Santa Anita. The bay four-year-old could be rounding up to a peak performance in his third outing since May with regular rider Juan Hernandez signed on.

Santa Anita H. (G1) star #8 Idol (4-1) has a consistently-strong turn of foot and comes in fresh for Baltas. The talented son of Curlin has always performed well on the surface, and he will be difficult to keep out of the money with anything resembling his best effort in the race. Kentucky-bred has a lot of room for improvement with just six races to his credit to date. Joe Bravo will guide the bay.

Pacific Classic winner #7 Tripoli (3-1) has morphed into a new animal since moving to the dirt three races prior. John Sadler pupil is in superb current form, and the versatile running style that he possesses will suit him well from his starting post slot. Tiago will be in the stirrups.