How to bet the Mucho Macho Man Stakes

A handful of stakes races will take place on a fine Saturday card at Gulfstream Park. Among those is the $100,000 Mucho Macho Man S. for newly turned 3-year-olds.

Mucho Macho Man Contenders

#1 ULTIMATE BADGER -- Romans charge has been trounced in his first pair of stakes tries, albeit against deeper fields in the Bluegrass State. Commissioner sophomore has looked good in his trio of non-stakes events, and his best showing will give him a top-three chance from the rail.

#2 JIRAFALES -- Social Inclusion colt broke slowly but put in a strong rally to record a last-to-first triumph at 6 furlongs at Gulfstream Park West on debut. Delgado charge faces a different kind of task on Saturday, but he is not without a chance with expected improvement second time out. Cristian Torres retains the ride.

#3 EASY TIME -- Top pick lacks experience, but the Casse pupil won with ease on debut at Woodbine like a stakes runner. $250,000 son of Not This Time comes in fresh with five morning moves for a strong second-out conditioner, and his running style hints that the added ground will be of benefit to him, as well. Jose Ortiz taking the reins adds to the appeal.

#4 KIGER -- One of two from the Joseph barn, the bay colt has shown vast improvement in two straight since adding blinkers. Son of Verrazano was an allowance second in a local prep for this test, and a forward move will have him in contention late on Saturday under Zayas.

#5 MUTASAABEQ -- Into Mischief colt moves back to the dirt following a failed try in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) for Pletcher. Kentucky-bred was a sharp debut winner on the dirt at Saratoga in the summer, and he is training well at Palm Beach Downs of late as well. Win contender will have Luis Saez in the stirrups.

#6 AWESOME GERRY -- Liam’s Map gray exits a stakes second at Delta Downs when well clear of his nearest foe. Colt was a smart first-out winner on the course in July, and I really like his running style in a cast where the pace might be contested early on. Irad will be in the silks.

#7 PICKIN’ TIME -- Nashua (G3) winner is clearly talented, but he is a hard read due to his inconsistency. Stay Thirsty colt has been training in swift fashion as of late, and a top showing could find him in the money at the finish with Bravo signed on.

#8 RAISON D’AIR -- Rivto trainee was an impressive 13-length graduate on the surface two back, prior to finishing a distant fourth in the Armed Forces S. last time out. Kentucky-bred possesses good early presence, although others have more appeal to me in this tough spot.

#9 PAPETU -- Dangerous contender started his career 2-for-2 on the oval, prior to being dusted in a pair of graded tries at Saratoga for Sano. The comebacker has trained well in the interim, and he is another top-three player in the cast if he puts forth his top effort.

#10 BIG THORN -- Son of The Big Beast has improved his Brisnet Speed figure in each lifetime outing, led by a stakes win most recently. David Fawkes trainee has tactical speed combined with a strong turn of foot, and the outside draw seems ideal for his running style. Paco Lopez stays atop the talented bay.

Mucho Macho Man Wagers

• $15 Win and Place: #3 Easy Time ($30)
• 50-cent Trifecta: 3,10 with 3,5,6,10 with all ($24)
• $5 Exacta Box: 3-10 ($10)