How to bet the Punch Line Stakes

A field of nine Virginia-bred/registered runners will jaunt 5 1/2 panels on the Colonial Downs outer green in Friday’s $125,000 Punch Line S. The Michael Trombetta-trained #6 Determined Kingdom (4-5) captured this contest last campaign at 1-20 odds and seems poised to win the grassy dash for a fourth consecutive season. 

Punch Line Wagers

• $25 exacta 6 with 2 ($25)
• $5 trifecta key 6 with 2,4 ($10)

Determined Kingdom came to this outfit after fetching a bid of $190,000 in November and has improved in each run this season for his new connections. The six-year-old son of Animal Kingdom was unplaced in his seasonal bow at Laurel Park prior to coming home a good third at Pimlico in a deep field on Preakness Day. In the recent Ben’s Cat S. at Laurel, the gelding was a clear runner-up at six furlongs. He dons a stout 10-6-1-1 mark at Colonial and will be super tough with anything resembling his top performance, with Mychel Sanchez taking the reins. The versatile bay will be forwardly placed from the start. 

#2 Stormy Flight (6-1) has been facing open company in preparation for this run and might have the best upset chance in the field. The sophomore son of Get Stormy is two-for-four on the grass and did show late interest in a recent turf sprint following a poor break from the gate last time out. Chestnut gelding will be making his third run off the bench and could peak in this spot for trainer Hamilton Smith. 

#4 Virginia Fitz (8-1) put in a pair of very good runs on the course last season, winning on debut prior to finishing a close third in a subsequent stakes race. Trained by Susan Cooney, the dark bay son of Kobe’s Back made his seasonal debut on June 14 and checked in second in a grassy dash at Laurel Park with open company. He has a good measure of early foot, and if the sophomore clears the group early, then he could be a major exotics contender at a square number. Xavier Perez will be in the stirrups.