Exotics Plays for the Fayette Stakes

An overflow field of 13 is entered for Saturday’s $350,000 Fayette (G3) at Keeneland. The nine-furlong tilt on the main oval is as wide-open as a race can be and is a perfect time to use multiple runners and spread in some exotic wagers. 

Fayette Exotics Plays

• $3 exacta key box 9 with 1,4,8 ($18)
• $1 trifecta 4,9 with 1,4,8,9 with 1,3,4,8,9 ($18)
• 10-cent superfecta 4,8,9 with 4,8,9 with 1,3,4,8,9 with all ($16.20)

The hard-trying #9 Tumbarumba (12-1) will make his first appearance since returning from the desert, after running some solid races against major foes, and is training like a horse ready to run well off the shelf. The six-year-old son of Oscar Performance lands in a reasonable spot for his first showing since March and has good value for Brian Lynch. The Louisiana-bred gelding was a winner in his lone prior run on the course in advance of Saturday, and I expect him to be well positioned as the field turns for home with Tyler Gaffalione in the irons. 

Bob Baffert’s #4 Nevada Beach (6-1) is a generous morning-line number and wouldn’t be a surprise while making his Keeneland debut. By Omaha Beach, the four-year-old colt is lightly raced with a Grade 1 win to his credit, and he comes off a creditable third in the Goodwood (G1) last time while returning off a long absence. The Kentucky-bred colt is three-for-five with a placing at nine panels and shows a pair of strong morning moves leading up to his second run off the shelf. He has tactical speed and will never be far back with Francisco Arrieta in the silks. 

I’ve long liked #8 Stars and Stripes (3-1) for trainer Bill Mott, and the talented son of Not This Time was last seen checking in a clear second behind the sensational Forever Young in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) in his latest venture. The four-year-old colt bagged the Ben Ali (G3) on the Keeneland oval in April in his lone prior local try and has compiled a smart 6-3-2-0 line in 2026 in total. He is also three-for-three at 1 1/8 miles, and Luis Saez will take the reins. 

#1 Hit Show (4-1) is a spotless three-for-three at Keeneland in his lifetime and was assigned the rail in the massive field for trainer Brad Cox. The Candy Ride six-year-old is a five-time victor at the distance and will save ground early before putting in his late burst. Irad is named as the pilot but will be replaced after suffering a broken ankle in the last race on Thursday afternoon at Keeneland.