Betting With, and Against, Coach Cronin in the Bertrando Stakes

A well-matched field of six California-bred runners will travel one mile on the dirt at Los Alamitos in Saturday’s $100,000 Bertrando S. 

Coach Cronin – With

• $20 exacta 5 with 1 ($20)
• $10 trifecta key 5 with 1,4 ($20)

Coach Cronin – Against

• $20 win #1 Speedy Wilson ($20)
• $5 trifecta 1,4 with 1,4,5 with 1,4,5 ($20)

#5 Coach Cronin (9-5), who has streaked home to a trio of nice wins in succession in advance of the tilt, has been installed as the morning-line choice for trainer Bob Hess. The son of Point Piper was purchased for $80,000 at auction and made good in his first run for new connections when leading at every call in an allowance heat at Santa Anita. 

Coach Cronin was a clear winner in his most recent run at this venue, and the former claimer comes in with a lot of pace and great form. The gray gelding has really improved since stretching out in distance over his last two assignments, and I expect him to establish the tempo once again with Mike Smith retaining the mount. 

#1 Speedy Wilson (3-1), one of two major contenders in the field for Phil D’Amato, was last seen finishing second behind a fine runner in a seven-furlong allowance event at Santa Anita and will be very tough to ignore if he can handle the extra furlong on Saturday. The four-year-old colt is a multiple stakes hero with a Grade 1 placing at seven-eighths and gives the impression of a late runner who will be capable of enduring a bit more ground on Saturday. Nick Alexander’s homebred will be saving ground while always in striking position under Ricky Gonzalez. 

#4 Shea Brennan (2-1), the other D’Amato pupil, bagged the 2024 King Glorious S. on this oval in his lone prior run on the course and his only effort at the distance. Also an Alexander homebred by Tough Sunday, the chestnut colt concluded his sophomore season with a rallying third behind a very good one in The Chosen Vron S. at Del Mar, and I like his placement in this one for his seasonal bow. The consistently good Cal-bred has won or placed in each of his nine career runs on the dirt in advance of Saturday, and he wouldn’t be a surprise off the shelf with Armando Ayuso in the irons.