Exacta of the Week: Commonwealth Stakes at Keeneland Tuesday

The Exacta of the Week will come from Keeneland on Tuesday with the focus on the wildly competitive $250,000 Commonwealth S. (G3). Originally scheduled for Saturday, the seven-furlong contest on the main strip attracted a big field of 12, and it appears to be a fine wagering opportunity. 

Race 7 Exacta Play

• $5 exacta key box 6 with 2,5,8 ($30)

Multiple Grade 2 victor #6 Hoist the Gold (9-2) has been first or second in each of his trio of tries on the surface for conditioner Dallas Stewart, led by a coup in the 2023 Phoenix S. (G2) and a close second in the Commonwealth that same season. The Mineshaft six-year-old kicked off 2025 with a strong allowance triumph at Fair Grounds and has posted a quartet of morning moves in the interim. The dark bay homebred has a versatile running style and could sit a dream voyage on Tuesday just off of a contested pace leading up to the turn for home. Brian Hernandez Jr. retains the mount, and Hoist the Gold will be a key in my wagers. 

I’ll use a few runners with my leading selection, including the once-beaten #2 Montalcino (3-1). Trained by Cherie DeVaux, the four-year-old son of Take Charge Indy has done little wrong in his brief career and could be the one to catch in the dash. I do fear that he will face early pressure in his toughest assignment to date, but he has to be included, nonetheless. Regular pilot Jose Ortiz will send the talented colt from the opening bell. 

#8 Here Mi Song (8-1) captured this race in 2023 and seems set for his seven-year-old debut in the heat. The William Stinson Jr. trainee showed no signs of slowing down last season while knocking heads with some very good ones, and it’s worth noting that the son of Cross Traffic is Grade 1-placed at the seven-eighths distance, as well. The tactical Kentucky-bred will have Edgar Morales in the silks. 

Grade 1 hero #5 Nutella Fella (12-1) is a hard one to gauge, being so lightly raced, but the Gary Contessa trainee has never finished out of the money, and the best two races of his career have come at this distance. The Runhappy four-year-old has a powerful turn of foot on his best day, and the price seems generous for a colt who possesses a whole lot of ability. Luis Saez will take the reins.