Monmouth: How to bet the Blue Sparkler Stakes

A total of 11 sophomore fillies, two of which are main-track only entrants, will aim for Saturday’s $100,000 Blue Sparkler S. at Monmouth Park. 

Blue Sparkler S. Wagers

• $12 win and place #6 Annascaul ($24)
• $.50-cent trifecta 6,8 with 6,8,9 with all ($14)

Blue Sparkler S. Expert Analysis

The 5 1/2-furlong dash on the green attracted some good ones, including the Miguel Clement-conditioned #6 Annascaul. By American Pharoah, the lass was unveiled at Saratoga in August and made good when registering a classy, three-length triumph while facing state-bred foes. 

In her second performance, the chestnut stretched out in distance for the Natalma S. (G1) at Woodbine and was 3 3/4 lengths back under the line in a loaded cast. She capped her two-year-old year with a fast-closing second in the Stewart Manor S. at Aqueduct on Nov. 2. 

The New York-bred filly was outfinished in the latter stages of the Take The A Train S. at Aqueduct in his sophomore bow, missing by one length at the finish, and she has trained forwardly in the interim. Samuel Marin will guide the versatile filly. 

#8 Roja led for virtually every call before being run down by a nose in the Stormy Blues S. at Laurel in her latest venture. Trained by Graham Motion, the daughter of Karakontie was a swift maiden winner in her initial try on the grass two back, and she could take another step forward while trying the sod for the third time in this affair. Jaime Rodriguez will have the three-year-old forwardly placed from the start. 

For the exotics, George Weaver’s #9 Laurice has appeal from the outside post. Bolt d’Oro filly is winless since her debut score at The Spa in August, but she has been facing some very good fillies along the way and should appreciate the measure of class relief against this field. The bay has shown the ability to lay close in the early going multiple times in her career and could receive a beneficial voyage in a group with a sensible amount of zip. Eric Cancel will be in the stirrups atop the stalker.