Turfway Park: How to bet the Leonatus Stakes

An overflow field of 13 sophomores will go one mile on the Tapeta at Turfway Park in Saturday’s $100,000 Leonatus S. The feature on the card boasts two solid prospects, in my opinion, and I expect the race to be decided by the duo inside the final furlong.

Recent maiden victor #1 Grantham (5-2) has left a good impression on me from just two lifetime tries to date, and I believe that the youngster has a very bright future for conditioner Mike Maker. Purchased for $280,000 in April of 2021, the bay was a smart runner-up on debut on the dirt at Churchill Downs, prior to breaking his maiden while going 1 1/16 miles on this oval.

Grantham has a good combination of tactical speed and a turn of foot, and while he has been a bit more workmanlike than dynamic to this stage of his development, the son of Declaration of War will move forward in his second synthetic try on Saturday. He shows a trio of solid morning drills on the surface in advance of his stakes debut and seems poised to run his winning streak to two beneath Gerardo Corrales.

#12 Friar Laurence (3-1) is unbeaten from two fine performances to date for conditioner Ben Colebrook. A 12-length romper on the dirt at first asking, the son of Violence proved capable of handling Turfway in his measured allowance triumph at six furlongs. The $70,000 yearling buy is bred to handle the distance, and I have confidence that he will run well in his initial route attempt on this occasion. Chestnut will have to overcome the widest post, however, with Luan Machado riding.

For value in the vertical exotics, #8 Twenty Four Mamba (8-1) has appeal. Mark Casse trainee was second-best in a recent allowance try on the strip and is stakes-placed on the all-weather, too. Son of Classic Empire is a question mark at the distance, but his best showing will have him contending for a placing in the stretch.

#3 Red Label (12-1) lacks consistency, but he has flashed nice potential on more than one occasion for Demeritte. The gelded son of Sky Kingdom was unplaced at 5-2 odds in the Turfway Prevue S. most recently, but he could easily move up at much better odds on Saturday. Sophomore is an exotics threat at a big number.

Leonatus Wagers

• $1 superfecta 1,12 with 1,12 with 3,8 with all ($36)
• 50-cent superfecta 1,12 with 1,12 with all with 3,8 ($18)