Value Plays for the 2022 Perryville Stakes

An excellent field of eight sophomores will run seven panels on the Keeneland dirt in Saturday’s ultra-competitive $250,000 Perryville S. A case can be made for every entrant in the dirt endeavor, so I will take a chance with a price horse in the heat.

The Doug O’Neill-trained #6 B Dawk (6-1) has put forth a few fine performances this season and could be sitting on a big effort exiting a try in the deep Pennsylvania Derby (G1) in his latest assignment. By Gormley, the $425,000 juvenile purchase graduated at Keeneland by a commanding 11 lengths and also sports a two-for-two mark at the distance.

B Dawk has shown progression throughout his career and his effort at Parx was a solid one, where he registered a robust 109 Brisnet Late Pace number while facing better. The chestnut colt, who has displayed improvement since having blinkers removed five back, has been training on the surface since early June and seems poised for a big run at a square number on Saturday. Joel Rosario riding adds to his appeal.

I had some doubts about the quality of Grade 1 winner #8 Gunite (6-5) earlier in his career, but the son of Gun Runner has taken the next step this campaign and looms large in this spot. The sophomore colt has been first or second in each of his handful of engagements this year, with a stout tally in the Amsterdam S. (G2) at Saratoga leading the way. Trained by Steve Asmussen, the Winchell homebred possesses tactical speed and will enjoy a clear voyage throughout with Tyler Gaffalione taking the reins once again.

Chad Brown’s #3 Artorius (5-2) has displayed a lot of ability in just four career tries leading up to his second run over the oval. The talented Juddmonte homebred was a closing second on the oval at six furlongs in April, and he has moved forward since that display. He bagged the Curlin S. at The Spa two prior and smoked a bullet five-eighths on this dirt in advance of Saturday. Florent Geroux inherits the ride atop the three-year-old, who will be doing his best work from off of the early pace.

Perryville Wagers

• $10 win and place: #6 B Dawk ($20)
• $5 exacta: key box 6 with 3, 8 ($20)
• 50-cent trifecta: 3, 6, 8 with 3, 6, 8 with all ($18)