How to bet the 2023 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes
An excellent field of 10 sophomores will travel one mile on the Saratoga inner turf in Friday’s $500,000 Hall of Fame S. (G2). The well-matched cast lacks a standout in my opinion, and I will side with Graham Motion’s #7 Nagirroc (7-2) against this imposing group, despite being the morning-line choice. By Lea, the Kentucky-bred was second on debut and followed that up with a pair of tallies, including a score in the Futurity S. (G3) at Aqueduct in August.
Nagirroc was a game third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) in his penultimate juvenile try, which preceded a good third in the Eddie Logan S. to cap a fine two-year-old campaign. The colt was a clear second in the Transylvania S. (G3) to kick off 2023 and added blinkers following that showing, which resulted in a stylish victory in the James W. Murphy S. at Pimlico and a close third in the Manila S. (G3) at Belmont Park.
The bay three-year-old has very good tactical speed, superb form, and a perfect post slot to track the pace while in the hunt throughout, as well. Manny Franco has the assignment.
Numerous other contenders are dangerous in the event, led by Grade 1 victor #8 Mysterious Night (10-1) for Charlie Appleby. The Dark Angel three-year-old was more than impressive in his dominant Summer S. (G1) romp at Woodbine in the fall, and while he has been unplaced in two tries at three, the gelding still possesses a world of ability. The Irish-bred will stalk the pace from the opening stages of the tilt and wouldn’t be a surprise at generous odds.
#10 Carl Spackler (9-2) broke his maiden while looking like a future star at Gulfstream Park two back, prior to putting in a subpar showing in the American Turf (G2) at Churchill Downs in his stakes bow. The Lope De Vega colt has obvious room for improvement second time with graded runners and looms large with Tyler Gaffalione in the stirrups.
Penn Mile (G2) runner-up #9 Behind Enemy Lines (12-1) possesses a fine turn of foot on his best day and could be a major player in the stretch if the pace backs up late beneath Joel Rosario. Manila star #1 More Than Looks (4-1), recent stakes romper #2 Bat Flip (8-1), Chad Brown’s #3 Appraise (10-1), and talented Euro import #4 Ocean Vision (15-1), add to the world of depth in the contest.
The fact that I am omitting both electric debut winner #5 Mischievous Angel and Grade 2 star #6 General Jim speaks volumes of the class of the field.
- $6 exacta key box: 7 with 8,10 ($24)
- 10-cent superfecta: key 7 with 1,2,3,4,8,9,10 ($21)
