How to bet the 2024 Met Mile

Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner #6 White Abarrio (6-5) leads a field of six for the $1 million Metropolitan H. (G1) at Saratoga on Saturday. Unplaced in the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) in his 2024 debut, the five-year-old lands in a much more realistic spot here and looms a big chance from a perfect outside post draw. I actually like him cutting back to one turn and will key the Richard Dutrow trainee on top. 

Met Mile Wagers

• $20 exacta 6 with 3,5 ($40)
  $10 trifecta key 6 with 3,5 ($20)

A horse that I’m playing against is #2 National Treasure (8-5) for Bob Baffert. The 2023 Preakness (G1) winner kicked off 2024 with a game tally in the Pegasus World Cup (G1) and was last seen finishing a close fourth in Saudi Arabia. The future stallion owns a world of talent, obviously, but I have never thought of the colt as a one-turn type. He has excellent gate presence and a good chance to be forcing the tempo from the break under Flavein Prat on Saturday, but I feel like he can be outmoved by multiple runners in the field and will side against him. 

I feel that the top pair of one-turn horses in the field are #3 Post Time (7-2) and #5 Hoist the Gold (15-1). The former is a fine 8-for-10 with two placings in his career for Brittany Russell, and his one-run closing style continues to pay dividends for him. The Frosted colt was a clear second in the Westchester (G3) in his latest outing and will be moving best of all late with regular jock Sheldon Russell up. 

Hoist the Gold earned his biggest win to date when eclipsing the Cigar Mile (G2) in December by 4 1/2 lengths over a muddy Aqueduct surface. The Dallas Stewart trainee was not at his best when fifth in the recent Churchill Downs S. (G1), but he will improve in a big way on Saturday, especially if there is moisture in the ground. John Velazquez, who has piloted the son of Mineshaft in six straight races, keeps the faith.