How to bet the 2021 Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes

A stout cast of eight three-year-old fillies will travel 1 1/4 miles over the Belmont Park inner turf in Saturday’s $700,000 Belmont Oaks Invitational S. (G1).

Belmont Oaks Contenders

#1 CON LIMA -- Pletcher pupil has overcome her headstrong ways and is evolving into a serious turf distaffer. Commissioner filly has been quite impressive in two straight wins over ‘good’ turf, led by a fine score over a deep field in the Wonder Again S. (G3) over the course most recently. Flavien Prat retains the ride.

#2 CIRONA -- Group-1 placed French import has shown nice progression from age two-to-three and rates an obvious chance in her stateside debut. Daughter of Maxios has proven to be very capable at the distance, and I like her post draw near the rail to get early cover. Jose Lezcano will be in the stirrups.

#3 HIGHER TRUTH -- Galileo filly from the mighty Chad Brown shedrow has won two in a row and could be any kind while making her stakes bow. The bay is 2-for-2 both at the trip and over the course, and she could certainly factor with a forward move on Saturday. Jose Ortiz is signed on.

#4 SPANISH LOVEAFFAIR -- Grade 3 heroine comes off a runner-up effort in the Regret S. (G3) for Casse. The talented filly might be a notch below some of the top guns in this field, but she will also move forward if she gets the firm turf she prefers. Tyler Gaffalione has the assignment atop the exotics contender.

#5 SANTA BARBARA -- Horse to beat from the Aidan O’Brien barn has gone close in her two previous attempts at the highest level, including a narrow second in the Pretty Polly S. (G1) at The Curragh last time out. Well-bred daughter of Camelot is a half-sister to a pair of Breeders’ Cup winners, and she gives the impression of a horse with an especially bright future. Ryan Moore will guide the top selection.

#6 NAZUNA -- Dangerous French import didn’t fare all that well in her first stateside offering when unplaced in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) in November, but her runner-up performance at Epsom most recently indicates that she will offer much more this time around. Roger Varian trainee is a question mark in her first voyage at 1 1/4 miles, but if the daughter of Kodiac proves capable of handling the trip, she has upset appeal with Johnnie V taking the reins.

#7 PLUM ALI -- Clement charge has lost three straight following a three-race win streak to commence her career. First Samurai chestnut is a Grade 2 vixen on the strip, and she did improve last time with a rallying second in the Wonder Again S. Rosario rides the dangerous Kentucky-bred.

#8 GAM’S MISSION -- Daughter of Noble Mission displayed a strong turn of foot when annexing the Regret S. (G3) at Churchill Downs most recently. Bay is on a three-race win streak, but the added ground, step up in class, as well as the outside post, makes it hard to back her with confidence in a deep field. Adam Beschizza will be on board atop the talented lass.

Belmont Oaks Wagers

• $20 win #5 Santa Barbara ($20)
• $10 exacta box 5-6 ($20)
• $.50-cent trifecta 5,6 with all with 5,6 ($6)