United Nations S. exotics and Monmouth graded stakes Pick 4

A field of 10 three-year-olds and older will race in the $600,000 United Nations S. (G1) ahead of Saturday’s marquee event, the Haskell S. (G1), at Monmouth Park.

Below we give you our best exotics plays for the 1 3/8-mile race on Monmouth’s turf (Race 11), including exacta, trifecta, and superfecta tickets. Then, we build a late-Pick 4 ticket beginning with Race 9 and ending with the Haskell in Race 12.

4 Tribhuvan (5-2) opened as a slight morning line favorite for trainer Chad Brown, who has two in this field. The six-year-old gelding pulled off a huge upset in the 1 1/4-mile Manhattan (G1) at Belmont Park, beating out stablemate #3 Adhamo (3-1) by 3 1/2 lengths and besting third-placer #10 Gufo (3-1) by 4 1/2 lengths as a 19-1 longshot. Tribhuvan wired the United Nations last year as a 1.70-1 favorite and beat out third-place finisher #9 Epic Bromance (12-1) by three lengths.

Gufo failed as the favorite last out and will look to return to the winner’s circle in his first career start at Monmouth. The Christophe Clement pupil last won three back in the 1 1/2-mile Pan American (G2) at Gulfstream Park and should appreciate the extra distance in today’s race.

Outside posts have a poor win percentage at this distance at Monmouth, so gate 10 may cause the five-year-old some trouble. He’ll stick with regular rider Joel Rosario, a 21% winner paired up with Clement over the last two months.

Gufo beat out race rival #3 Temple (6-1) by 6 3/4 lengths in the Pan American. Temple is one of two Mike Maker runners in the field, with early/presser #7 Glynn County (10-1) the other. Glynn County posted a sharp five-furlong workout at Belmont on July 16, but his recent speed figures pale in comparison to his race rivals. He last came home sixth on June 18 in the Monmouth (G3) but was just 2 1/2 lengths behind first-place finisher Sacred Life.

For the minor awards, Epic Bromance is also one to watch out of Kent Sweezey’s barn. The Kitten’s Joy gelding is 5 2-1-2 in his career at this track, finishing third in the 1 1/8-mile Monmouth last time. #8 Kentucky Ghost (12-1) also won in his debut at this track last out in the Cliff Hanger Stakes. A rider switch to Florent Geroux could boost his chances despite a move up in class. Victoria Oliver is a 40% (5 2-0-1) winner this meet and a 23% winner with horses who won their last race. However, she has zero wins in her last 56 graded stakes tries.

#5 He'spuregold (20-1) is an intriguing longshot with a 5 4-1-0 record at Monmouth. The four-year-old gelding makes a move up in class for Kelly Breen, a 26% winner (66  17-5-11) this meet, and will keep regular rider Paco Lopez, Monmouth's leading jockey.

United Nations S. exotics wagers

• $10 Exacta: 4 with 1, 10 ($20)
• $2 Trifecta: 4/1,10/1,3,5,10 ($12)
• 50-cent Superfecta: 4/1,10/1,3,5,10/1,3,5,8,9,10 ($12)

All-graded stakes Pick 4, Races 9-12

Race 9: Matchmaker S. (G3), 1 1/8 miles on turf

#6 Fluffy Socks (5-2) is a vulnerable favorite out of Chad Brown's barn. The four-year-old filly finished fourth as the favorite last out in the 1 1/16 Eatontown (G3) after losing by a half-length to Bleecker Street in the 1 1/8 Modesty (G3). We'll go against her here and play stablemate #5 Flighty Lady (7-2) and Brendan Walsh pupil #4 Lady Rockstar (3-1), who is 2-for-2 in 2022 since shipping to the U.S.

Race 10: Molly Pitcher S. (G3), 1 1/16 miles on dirt

#3 Search Results (3-2) will be tough to beat in her follow-up to her third-place showing in the Ogden Phipps (G1). The Chad Brown trainee clocked a 103 Brisnet Speed figure at today's distance, the highest last race speed rating among the field. But let's also look for value with #1 Leader of the Band (6-1), winner of the Lady Secret Stakes last out, who drew the rail post, which is winning at a 32% clip. Trained by John Servis, the four-year-old won by a head over #5 Beth's Dream (6-1), who re-opposes and retains Paco Lopez. Godolphin-bred #2 Pennybaker (5-1) could improve in her return to a route, as well.

Race 11: United Nations (G1) 1 3/8 miles on turf

We'll play #4 Tribhuvan (5-2) and add coverage with #1 Adhamo (3-1) and #10 Gufo (3-1).

Race 12: Haskell (G1) 1 1/8 miles on dirt

Morning line favorite #2 Taiba (7-5) clocked a 111 BRIS figure at today's distance two back and is in line for a rebound from his 12th-place finish in the Kentucky Derby. Bob Baffert will saddle the three-year-old and has won the Haskell a record nine times. He should get his 10th win here, if undefeated #7 Jack Christopher (3-2) has trouble in his first attempt beyond a mile.

50-cent Pick 4: 4,5 / 1,2,3,5 / 1,4,10 / 2,7 ($24)