Exotics Plays for the 2026 Serena’s Song Stakes

A group of eight sophomore fillies will run six panels on the Tapeta at Turfway Park in Saturday’s $125,000 Serena’s Song S. Luan Machado piloted two of the major contenders in the field last time and opts to guide recent allowance winner #7 Cadenza (8-5) in the feature, and I will side with his choice.

Serena’s Song Exotics Wagers

• $4 Trifecta: key 7 with 2,5,6 ($24) 
• $1 Superfecta: box 2,5,6,7 ($24)

Trained by Brad Cox, Cadenza broke her maiden second time out on the grass at Saratoga and has put in two good runs on this oval since returning to the races. The Stonestreet color bearer possesses a consistent closing burst, and while the race is not full of speed, I expect her to receive an honest tempo for which to rally into late. The $385,000 Charlatan filly makes a lot of sense in her stakes debut.

#2 The Town Tempter (6-1) might be the quickest filly in the field and will race with blinkers on for the first time in her second appearance over the track for trainer Brendan Walsh. Third after dueling on the front end in the Valdale S. in her latest showing, the daughter of Karakontie had won a pair of turf sprints prior to her local debut and comes in fresh with a nice four-furlong drill on the surface most recently. The Kentucky-bred bay, who brought $175,000 at auction in January, picks up Gerardo Corrales and could lead the field all the way if the equipment change aids her. 

Godolphin homebred #5 Hen Party (4-1) was a clear second behind the top pick off the shelf last time and fits in this field with improvement second time out. The Into Mischief three-year-old is bred to be a good one and has run big in two of her three lifetime runs to date for Harty. The bay loves the all-weather and will be rallying from off the pace once again beneath Walter Rodriguez. 

Joe Sharp’s #6 Mony Mony (5-2) has improved with each run at this meeting and rides in on a two-race win streak. The Munnings chestnut has appreciated the addition of blinkers, and she was very professional in running down a clear one late in her most recent showing. Gabe Saez will be in the silks atop the contender.