Acorn Stakes (Belmont Park) Predictions & Betting Odds

Fresh off a game second-place finish in the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks, Search Results headlines a compact but classy field of six set for Saturday’s Grade 1 Acorn Stakes at Belmont Park.

The winner of her first three career starts, including the Grade 3 Gazelle, the daughter of Flatter was game as could be before finally yielding late to the unbeaten leader of the division, Malathaat, five weeks ago at Churchill Downs. Trained by Chad Brown, the two-time stakes winner will break from the outside post and once again be ridden by Irad Ortiz, Jr.

Chief among her rivals will be Dayoutoftheoffice. The daughter of Into Mischief has only started once this year, finishing a game second to Obligatory in the Grade 2 Eight Belles at Churchill Downs. A two-time graded stakes winner, she was an impressive winner of the Grade 1 Frizette over the track and the distance last fall.

Another who should get plenty of support at the windows is Travel Column. Also, a two-time stakes winner, the daughter of Frosted was the early leader of the Kentucky Oaks, before fading to fifth down the lane. The Brad Cox trainee will be cutting back to one turn for the first time since her debut victory last summer.

Stakes winners Obligatory, Miss Brazil and Make Mischief round out the salty field for the one-mile test.

How to Watch the Acorn Stakes

Race Analysis

Search Results

The previously undefeated filly takes no shame away from her first defeat last time in the Kentucky Oaks. The Chad Brown-trained 3-year-old ran lights out to finish only a neck behind the division leader. Back in New York, look for her to be a clear favorite as she looks to start a new winning streak. This race will offer plenty of challenges, though, as she cuts back in distance and faces what will likely be her fastest early pace yet. She has shown the ability to pass horses which will be a big plus from her outside post. She is the one to beat and has obviously done nothing wrong, but as a heavy favorite, this looks like a race to take a shot against her.

Dayoutoftheoffice

This daughter of Into Mischief has plenty going for her. She has never finished worse than second in five career starts, has a strong win over the track, and looked good in her return race in the Eight Belles. Things only get tougher on Saturday, though, as this looks to be an even tougher field than the last one, and there is another quality speed in the race. Having said that, she has proven the ability to sit just off the lead and pounce. It’s a tough spot, but proven for class, and fond of the distance, she is a major threat to return to Belmont a winner.

Travel Column

Well, I have a new favorite filly. Read all about her today on my latest horse racing/travel column … https://t.co/vnTOGDZLxQ pic.twitter.com/RgQDCggEb6

— Brian Zipse (@Zipseatthetrack) November 30, 2020

This gray filly should appreciate the cut back in distance after going to the early lead in the 9 furlongs Kentucky Oaks. It was the first time she was ever on the lead early, and I have a feeling that it is not her best running style. With plenty of early speed in here, I expect her to be a little off the pace in the Acorn, which should help her turn in a much-improved performance over her Oaks run.  With enough speed to stay in touch early and a sharp turn of foot, I believe the daughter of Frosted has an excellent chance to turn the tables on Search Results. Considering the difference in odds, she is the top pick.

Obligatory

She stormed from the back of the pack to get up and win the Grade 2 Eight Belles last time. The impressive rally at 7 furlongs was no doubt aided by the testing of early fractions. Still it was an impressive stretch run for a filly who has now won two of her last three. It only gets tougher on Saturday, but once again the daughter of Curlin can sit back and watch the race unfold in front of her. With plenty of early speed at the one-turn mile, a similar performance to her last puts her in with a shot. She is a dangerous lone late runner in here.

Miss Brazil

This speedy daughter of Palace Malice has done little wrong so far in her five-race career. In fact, after running third on the turf in her career debut, she has only seen one horse finish ahead of her in four tries on the dirt, and that came in a game effort behind Search Results. Never headed early since switching to the main track, she will need to utilize her speed once again if she is to score her first graded stakes victory. Her task will not be easy, though, with all of the three favorites in here possessing good early speed. I like her prep over the track, but I do not like her chances to hold off all the class that will be in a close pursuit early.

Make Mischief

The third place finisher in the Eight Belles looks to be the only true longshot in the field. The most experienced filly in the field has won 4-of-10 lifetime, but none of her wins have come against open stakes company. Still, she’s a nice filly who often runs her race and could sneak into the exotics on her best. The daughter of Into Mischief also seems to be coming into the race with her best form yet for trainer Mark Casse. Having said that, I still only like her sixth-best in this tough six-horse field.