How to bet the 2026 Damon Runyon Stakes

Two-time stakes winner #6 Arctic Beast (4-5) will lead a field of six New York-bred runners postward in Saturday’s $135,000 Damon Runyon S. at Aqueduct. Trained by Mike Maker, the $275,000 yearling purchase graduated on debut at Saratoga in August and followed that tally up with a pair of dominant black-type victories at Finger Lakes. In his most recent performance, the son of Yaupon went off as the 9-10 favorite in the Springboard Mile at Remington Park and finished a clear second behind an impressive winner in his first attempt with open foes. 

Damon Runyon Wagers

• $25 exacta 6 with 2 ($25)
• $7 trifecta key 6 with 2,4 ($14)

Arctic Beast drops back in with horses bred in the Empire State and also cuts back from one mile down to seven panels. He recorded a swift half-mile morning move in advance of his local bow, and I feel that drawing on the outside of the cast will be a huge advantage for the colt, as well. Ricardo Santana, Jr. will be in the irons. 

The John Kimmel-trained #2 Combat Mission (9-2) has displayed improvement since having blinkers added two back and was last seen dominating maiden foes on the course at the one-mile trip on Dec. 31. By Combatant, the $70,000 yearling buy was a strong and clear runner-up in the New York Stallion Series S. on the course and at the distance two prior. The gray sophomore has never been better. He prepared for the Runyon with a bullet three-eighths drill on Wednesday and will have regular rider Kendrick Carmouche in the stirrups. 

#4 Time to Roll (5-2) rolled home to a convincing win in an allowance heat on the oval last time out in what was his initial sprint run for trainer Horacio De Paz. The gray son of Not This Time has performed well from both on or off the early tempo, and his versatility should translate into a top-three finish in the dash with Jaime Rodriguez atop the $270,000 auction buy. He has natural speed from the gate, and I envision him tracking the pace with intent from second or third early on.