Seeking value in deep Eatontown Stakes at Monmouth Park on June 20

An overflow field of 16 has been entered to contest the $150,000 Eatontown S. (G3) at Monmouth Park on Sunday. The 1 1/16-mile affair for fillies and mares boasts some very talented contenders in an especially good betting opportunity. 

Morning-line choice #6 Nay Lady Nay (7-2) is 2-for-2 on the strip led by a fine score in the 2020 Matchmaker S. (G3) for Chad Brown. And while the five-year-old will improve in her second start of the season following a fourth in the Beaugay S. (G3), I don’t see much separation between her and the other major players in the field. The talented daughter of No Nay Never is a bet against at a smaller price for me. 

I am going to give a slight edge to #9 Sweet Bye and Bye (9-2) for conditioner Saffie Joseph. The hard-knocking daughter of Sky Mesa has elevated her game in a pair of outings since joining this shedrow, which includes a daylight score in the Sand Springs S. in her latest venture. The gray mare is versatile and has further improvement in her, and the Keystone State-bred has the right running style with good tactical speed to fit both the race and the course on Sunday, too.

Bypassing a more daunting task at Belmont Park earlier in the month was a wise move in my opinion, as she seems primed for a big performance in her first outing on the Monmouth lawn. Ruben Silvera inherits the mount atop the consistently good six-year-old. 

A key player in my exotics wagers will be #2 Speaktomeofsummer (15-1) for Christophe Clement. The 2020 Lake Placid S. (G2) heroine had a solid seasonal debut at Belmont Park most recently, and she offers great value in the race with an expected move forward second time off the bench. The Summer Front four-year-old was victorious in her lone prior outing on the course, and she has a good post slot to save ground throughout, as well. Hector Diaz has the assignment. 

Grade 2 starlet #5 Micheline (5-1), Graham Motion’s #10 Crystal Cliffs (6-1), and #12 Vigilantes Way (10-1) also merit inclusion in the excellent field. 

Eatontown Wagers

• $10 win and place #9 Sweet Bye and Bye ($20)
• 50-cent superfecta 9 with 2 with 5,6,10,12 with all ($18)
• 50-cent superfecta 9 with 5,6,10,12 with 2 with all ($18)