Ellis Park: How to bet the Pea Patch Stakes on Sunday

An overflow field of 13 sophomore fillies will dash 5 1/2 furlongs on the Ellis Park lawn in Sunday’s $150,000 Pea Patch S. A talented and especially well-matched field will vie in the feature of the afternoon, so I feel compelled to look for value with my selections. 

Pea Patch Wagers

• $15 win and place #12 Mae Town ($30)
• 50-cent trifecta key 12 with 1,4,6,9 ($6)
• 50-cent trifecta 1,4 with 1,4,12, with 1,4,6,9,12 ($6)

The heat has no shortage of early speed, and I have to believe that the pace will be rapid and contested, thus setting things up for a horse from off the tempo. I’m not in love with the post for #12 Mae Town (10-1), but the progressive filly has improved her Brisnet Speed number in each career run to date and comes off of a fine allowance win while facing a strong cast at Churchill Downs last time out. Trained by Brian Lynch, the dark bay daughter of Mo Town ran a pair of good ones to begin her career at Gulfstream Park and broke through with a powerful maiden triumph at Churchill Downs in her third outing on May 9. 

Mae Town ran down a clear leader in the stretch in her latest showing to win in going-away fashion and seems poised to give another fine account of herself. If Florent Geroux can negotiate a sensible trip atop the homebred, then I feel that she will be tough to fend off inside the final yards of the dash. 

A case can be made for numerous fillies in the group, including Godolphin’s #4 Pondering (12-1) at a big number. The Brendan Walsh trainee ran off to a commanding allowance win at Indiana with the addition of blinkers last time and is intriguing with Gaffalione taking the reins. #1 Hold Your Breath (5-1) was never challenged in an allowance heist at Saratoga while making her grassy bow and looms a threat from the fence for trainer John Servis. If the filly can clear this fleet group early, then the daughter of McKinzie will be dangerous late. Larry Rivelli’s stakes-winning #6 Rich City Girl (8-1) and Kelsey Danner’s dual stakes winner #9 Brindi (8-1) are logical threats, as well.