How to bet the March 14 stakes at Aqueduct and Santa Anita

Sunday is shaping up to be a quiet day in U.S. racing. Only two stakes races are on the agenda, and they’ll take place on opposite coasts of the country, at Aqueduct and Santa Anita.

The good news is, both races have drawn competitive fields. Let’s review the entries, then put together picks and plays on a $50 budget.

Aqueduct, Race 8: Damon Runyon S. (4:55 p.m. ET)

This seven-furlong sprint for New York-breds appears tailor-made for conquest by #2 Eagle Orb.

While the majority of his eight rivals have been competing against fellow state-breds, Eagle Orb has been knocking heads with open company on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. After he kicked off the year with a runner-up effort in the one-mile Jerome S., Eagle Orb stretched out to 1 1/8 miles and finished fifth in the Withers (G3).

In both the Jerome and the Withers, Eagle Orb weakened from the eighth pole to the finish line, which gives the impression he didn’t quite handle the distance. The cut back to seven furlongs should be beneficial for the son of Orb, whose most recent sprint start produced a 2 3/4-length victory in the six-furlong Notebook S. against New York-breds at Aqueduct.

Rego Park S. winner #3 Perfect Munnings can vie with impressive Aqueduct maiden winner #5 Excellent Timing to round out the exotics.

$15 to win on #2 Eagle Orb
$5 exacta: 2 with 3,5 ($10)
$2.50 trifecta: 2 with 3,5 with 3,5 ($5)
Total: $30

Santa Anita, Race 6: Irish O’Brien S. (6 p.m. ET)

#1 Nardini received very little pace to chase when she rallied to finish second over this course and six-furlong distance in the Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint S. two months ago. Despite the challenging setup, the stretch-running mare resiliently dashed the final furlong in :11 4/5 to finish second, behind pacesetting winner #8 Leggs Galore.

Leggs Galore looms as a formidable favorite, after four consecutive victories, but on Sunday she’ll face a fellow frontrunner, #4 Sadie Bluegrass, which means the possibility of a faster pace. If a contested tempo unfolds, Nardini can turn the tables and spring an upset.

We’ll bet Nardini to win, and play her over Leggs Galore and #2 Bella Vita in the exacta.

$10 to win on #1 Nardini
$5 exacta: 1 with 2,8
Total: $20

Good luck!