Santa Anita: How to bet the 2022 Las Flores Stakes

A compact field of five will dash six panels on the Santa Anita dirt in Sunday’s $100,000 Las Flores S. (G3). Trainer John Sadler has a pair of lively contenders in the cast, led by Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) runner-up #3 Edgeway. She will be my top selection.

The daughter of Competitive Edge has been a high-quality runner since her unveiling as a sophomore, and she has won or placed in all but one of 10 lifetime appearances. Kentucky-bred mare was a victress in her seasonal bow when leading at every call in the Kalookan Queen S. on the surface, and I expect her to improve on Saturday.

Edgeway figures to sit a perfect trip behind a swift and contested pace to the top of the lane, which will allow her to have tired legs to aim at in the stretch with John Velazquez in the stirrups. The five-year-old prepared for the heat with a bullet five-furlong drill on the surface last Sunday.

I expect #2 Park Avenue to be sent hard from the break to get a slight edge from the start for Sadler. The bay daughter of Quality Road lacks the class of the pair of main contenders in the field, but she is quick, and the four-year-old will appreciate the cutback in distance, as well. She was caught chasing lone speed in the Santa Monica S. (G2) most recently when ultimately tiring to fourth, but she will move forward off that as a value player in the dash.

The wildcard in the field is two-time graded queen #1 Private Mission for Bob Baffert. By Into Mischief, the well-bred lass has been subpar in two straight tries and is tough for me to gauge on this occasion. Four-year-old is swift, but if she breaks slowly from the rail, then she might not receive a favorable trip at a short price. She is still a must-use without question, but I am not sure if she is worth putting on top at a small number while in a questionable form cycle. Juan Hernandez picks up the mount.

Las Flores Wagers

• $30 win #3 Edgeway ($30)
• $10 exacta 3 with 2 ($10)
• $5 trifecta key 3 with 1,2 ($10)