How to bet the Athenia Stakes

An octet of fillies and mares will run 1 1/16 miles on the Belmont Park inner turf in Sunday’s $100,000 Athenia (G3).

Athenia Analysis

#1 Mitchell Road will race for the lead from the rail in the well-matched field. #2 Call Me Love and #6 Sweet Bye and Bye will track the tempo from the second flight, with #8 Tapit Today also showing tactical speed.

Athenia Contenders

#1 MITCHELL ROAD -- Grade 3 queen ran a big one in defeat at Kentucky Downs last time out for Mott. English Channel mare has been first or second in five of her last seven outings, and she will flash speed from the rail on Sunday. Luis Saez will be in the silks atop the win threat.

#2 CALL ME LOVE -- Sea the Stars chestnut is a Group 2 queen who has been a bit inconsistent since arriving in the States. The capable Ballston Spa (G2) runner-up never fired in the Diana (G1) in her most recent endeavor, but she comes in fresh and major improvement is expected for Clement.

#3 FEEL GLORIOUS -- Second from the Clement shedrow was sharp scoring in the Perfect Sting S. at Saratoga two back. Bated Breath 4-year-old is a strong 3-for-4 at the distance, and while winless at Belmont, she has placed in four of her six local tries. Junior Alvarado will pilot the late runner.

#4 STORY TIME -- Broken Vow filly was fourth in the Violet S. at Monmouth Park last time out, and she would be a surprise in this field for Sweezey. Dylan Davis will be up.

#5 ALTEA -- The first of three from the barn of Chad Brown fell just shy in the recent Violet, and she is an obvious contender with any improvement in this affair. Siyouni mare has been very consistent this campaign, but with a 2-for-22 lifetime mark, she is best to be considered for the lower rungs of the exotics. Irad will be in the stirrups.

#6 SWEET BYE AND BYE -- Runner-up in this race last season has won or placed in 10 of her 11 lifetime races on the turf. Tony Dutrow trainee was a close third in the Noble Damsel (G3) most recently, and her affinity for the local lawn makes her a logical contender with Lezcano in the controls.

#7 SHE’S GOT YOU -- Top pick has displayed a fine turn of foot from two races since arriving in the states for Brown. Kingman filly has won or placed in eight straight outings in total, and I think that the Violet vixen will peak in her third try on U.S. ground. Castellano will be in the irons.

#8 TAPIT TODAY -- Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf (G3) third draws outside for her Belmont debut for Brown. Gray 5-year-old has yet to break through with this type, but she is a steady performer with the tactical speed to receive a very good trip under Jose Ortiz. Top-three candidate will stalk the pace in the clear early on.

Athenia Wagers

• $15 Exacta: 7 with 1,2,5 ($45)