Mucciolo: How to bet the Penn Mile

by JOHN MUCCIOLO

A fine field of eight sophomores will take aim at the lucrative, $500,000 Penn Mile (G2) at Penn National on Saturday evening. The turf test is growing rapidly in popularity and attracted some sharp runners for this event.

#1 COLTANDMISSISSIPPI – Pletcher pupil draws well on the rail and makes his second lifetime run on the lawn. Pioneerof the Nile colt rallied to be a close third in a stakes dash in his grassy bow and will be forwardly placed on the stretch out.

#2 ENCUMBERED – West Coast invader is unraced since the BC Juvenile Turf (G1) for Simon Callaghan. Son of Violence made good in his first two races on the green, including a score in the Del Mar Juvenile Turf in the summer. Regular pilot Mario Gutierrez coming to ride is a positive.

#3 MARAUD – One to beat from the Pletcher barn has won on firm, good and yielding turf courses, including an impressive conquer of the American Turf (G2) on Kentucky Derby Day. Versatile youngster can run from anywhere and is most logical beneath John Velazquez.

#4 THERAPIST – Christophe Clement trainee is four-for-five lifetime, all on the sod, and comes in fresh off the short layoff. Empire State-bred has a big turn of foot as well as Irad Ortiz Jr. in the silks.

#5 WAY EARLY – George Weaver charge was a good second in a seasonal debut and has never run a bad one from a trio of lifetime outings. Tizway gelding gets Lasix for the initial time and will be closing from well off the pace.

#6 HAWKISH – Top choice has been very sharp from three career performances. Gelding exits a superb allowance tally at Aqueduct and was flattered when the horse he made short work of came back to register a sharp allowance win in his comeback. Manny Franco inherits the ride for Jimmy Toner.

#7 SMART REMARK – Longshot from the Oliver barn didn’t handle the slop at Churchill Downs on May 5 and will improve today on the surface change. Bay three-year-old will need a lifetime best to make a big impact in a fine field, though.

#8 HE’S BANKABLE – Potential lone speed draws widest but brings fine form to the table. Mark Casse trainee has wins in two straight and three-of-four since moving to the green. Tyler Gaffalione will be in the stirrups.

Analysis

The Penn Mile came up very strong and is wide open. He’s Bankable will be the early leader with any kind of break from the gate, with Coltandmississippi and Smart Remark following his lead.

The balance of the field will be stalking a few lengths back and biding their time for what could be a thrilling stretch run.

I like Hawkish best and consider the son of Artie Schiller to be an exciting prospect. His 5-1 morning-line price seems generous. I don’t love He’s Bankable, but the pacesetter is dangerous at a price. He will be a key in some of my exotics plays, too.

Wager

$2 Tri Key: 6 with 3,4,5,8 = $24

50-cent Super: 6 with 8 with all with all = $21

50-cent Super: 6 with all with 8 with all = $21