How to bet the Melody of Colors Stakes

A quality field of 10 sophomore fillies will jaunt five-eighths on the Gulfstream Park green in Sunday’s $125,000 Melody of Colors S. I feel that a pair of runners will separate themselves from the rest of the field in the lane, led by #1 Lennilu from the barn of Patrick Binacone. By Leinster, the three-time stakes winner had an excellent juvenile campaign that included a fine third in the Queen Mary (G2) at Royal Ascot in June. 

Melody of Colors Wagers

• $10 exacta box 1-4 ($20)
• $3 trifecta key 1 with 4,5,8 ($18)
• 50-cent superfecta 1,4 with 1,4 with 5,8 with all ($14)

Lennilu capped her 2025 season with a decent run in the deep Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1) at Del Mar and has recorded a handful of morning drills in advance of her return. The gray is two-for-two at Gulfstream, and while I don’t love the rail post in this particular event, I still respect the versatile Florida-bred and consider her the sure one to beat with Luis Saez retaining the mount. 

#4 Mystical Belle, one of four in the cast for trainer Saffie Joseph, has improved with every lifetime run to date and will run on the grass for the first time in her career. The $270,000 daughter of Basin won two sprint races on the synthetic to close out her two-year-old season and has posted some swift morning drills at this venue in advance of her 2026 bow. She has a turf-winning sibling, and I expect her to handle the transition to the green with ease. The win threat will rally from just off the early pace with Tyler Gaffalione on board. 

#8 I Love Giraffes was professional in a winning debut on this surface when rallying from off the pace for conditioner Chad Summers. The Charlatan filly will receive a swift pace in front of her early to aid her closing burst, and the $200,000 yearling purchase will be in the mix late with clear sailing under the guidance of Edgard Zayas. 

Joseph’s #5 Secane, third in both the Tempted S. in November and Cash Run S. in January, will try the grass for the initial time with John Velazquez riding. The Audible filly surely has ability and could land in the top three if she takes to the green on Sunday.