Los Alamitos: How to bet the Great Lady M S.

There are many talented fillies and mares entered to race in the $200,000 Great Lady M S. (G2) on Independence Day at Los Alamitos. But one arguably ranks a cut above the rest.

That’s saying something since the seven-horse field features five stakes winners and four graded stakes heroines. It’s hard to stand out in a field so competitive, but #3 Becca Taylor looks mighty formidable with her near-perfect 8-for-9 record.

Becca Taylor is a nose away from being undefeated and is 5-for-5 on dirt. The speedy four-year-old filly routinely flashes excellent tactical speed and pressed blazing splits of :21.95 and :43.85 to win the six-furlong Desert Stormer S. (G3) at Santa Anita last month by 2 1/2 lengths.

This effort produced a career-best 99 Brisnet Speed rating, the highest figure posted by any horse in the Great Lady M field. Becca Taylor just keeps getting faster, and she’s already proven at Los Alamitos, breaking her maiden over this track in December 2020. Throw in the presence of hot jockey Juan Hernandez (a 23% winner this year), and Becca Taylor is clearly the filly to beat.

Sorting out the minor awards could be a bit trickier. #5 Ain’t Easy beat a good field in the 1 1/16-mile Chandelier S. (G2) last fall, but she’s gone 0-for-3 since then and most recently faded to last place in the seven-furlong Eight Belles S. (G2) at Churchill Downs. #4 Samurai Charm is 3-for-3 at Los Alamitos, but she could only finish a distant third behind Becca Taylor in the Desert Stormer. #1 Lady Mystify romped by three lengths in the 2021 Remington Park Oaks (G3), but she’s 0-for-3 this year and 0-for-2 sprinting.

That’s why #7 Elm Drive is an appealing candidate for runner-up honors. Conditioned by hot trainer Phil D’Amato (a 22% winner this year, Elm Drive is 3-for-4 sprinting, scoring her signature victory in the six-furlong Sorrento S. (G2) last year.

Two months ago, Elm Drive kicked off her three-year-old season with a decisive victory in the seven-furlong Angels Flight S. at Santa Anita, leading all the way to win by 2 1/4 lengths. She’s a capable sprinter with a chance to challenge in her first start against older rivals.

Here’s how we’ll bet the Great Lady M:

• $20 Exacta: 3 with 7
• $5 Trifecta: 3 with 7 with 4,5 ($10)
  Total: $30

Good luck!