How to bet the Pan Zareta Stakes

An overflow field of 14 fillies and mares will contest the Saturday feature at Fair Grounds, the $75,000 Pan Zareta S. (9TH race with a 5:52 p.m. ET post time). I have a trio of contenders that I will use for the base of my plays.

Defending champ #4 Play On (4-1) sports a nifty 5-3-2-0 local line and rates a big chance for conditioner Brad Cox. The Country Day 4-year-old comes in fresh with some solid morning drills, and she will be reunited with pilot Shaun Bridgmohan as well. The Kentucky-bred will stalk the pace from the opening bell as my top pick.

Stakes heroine #11 Into Mystic (5-2) led to the turn for home in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) against the boys last time and will receive obvious class relief in this affair. Walsh trainee makes her local debut in the Pan Zareta, and she will be forwardly placed throughout with Ricardo Santana up.

The Mike Maker-trained #10 A Bit of Both (8-1) lacks the turf experience that most of her foes possess, but the daughter of Paynter has looked the part in her trio of grassy endeavors. The 4-year-old filly has won two straight since joining this barn, and she has a nose for the finish line with a 9-for-15 career mark. Florent Geroux taking the reins is always a plus as well.

Pan Zareta Wagers

• $4 Exacta Box: 4-10-11 ($24)
• $1 Trifecta: 4 with 10,11 with all ($20)
• $1 Trifecta: 10,11 with 4 with all ($20)