How to bet the Mrs. Claus Stakes

A full field of 12 fillies and mares will run seven panels on the Parx dirt in Wednesday’s $75,000 Mrs. Claus S. A case can be made for numerous runners in the heat, although I’ll use #10 Foxy Junior (5-2) as a key in many of my wagers in the well-matched cast. Trained by Bernard Houghton, the five-year-old daughter of Cuba is a stakes-winning machine who continues to perform at a high level. 

Mrs. Claus Wagers

• $3 trifecta key 10 with 2,6,7 ($18)
• 30-cent superfecta 10 with 2,6,7 with 2,6,7 with all ($16.20)

Foxy Junior had a great prep for this when toppling a fine allowance field on the oval, and the mare was flattered when the second-place finisher came back to annex a stakes affair in her subsequent appearance. The dark bay Pennsylvania-bred put in a rapid half-mile bullet breeze in her latest morning spin, and the stalker is well drawn in a post that suits her running style quite well, too. Jomar Torres will take the reins. 

#7 Beach Daze (12-1) doesn’t fit the winning profile, but the one-run closer possesses a big turn of foot, and I like her chances to pass runners late and grab a minor award at a big price. The Farrel Mann pupil has won or placed in 19 of her 25 lifetime runs on the strip, and she lands in a field with ample early foot to aid her closing burst in the latter stages of the affair. Regular pilot Adam Bowman will take the reins. 

#2 Alani (4-1) was second to the top pick two back, which preceded a two-length victory in the Cornucopia S. here on Nov. 26. The Competitive Edge four-year-old owns fine early speed with a draw near the rail, and the four-year-old has been in the exacta in 8 of her 10 lifetime tries at this venue, as well. The Kentucky-bred bay will be forcing the tempo from the break beneath Andy Hernandez. 

Butch Reid’s #6 Jeanne Marie (6-1) is a talented performer who was last seen checking in behind my top pick in her latest endeavor. The Speightster four-year-old is a five-time winner on the surface and comes in off the short break for a good layoff conditioner. The bay filly has the tactical speed to stay in range throughout with Mychel Sanchez in the stirrups.