If he's close to 6-1 take Your Round

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Wagering opportunities abound in 3-year-old stakes action Saturday, with prominent races on tap everywhere from California to New York to Florida. Most notably, there is the Robert Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita, the Whirlaway at Aqueduct, and the Swale at Gulfstream Park.

But the best betting race for 3-year-olds - in terms of depth, anyway - is at Turfway Park, where 13 horses, including one also-eligible, are entered for the $50,000 WEBN Stakes.

The size to the WEBN field sets the stage for a rewarding payoff, particularly if one takes a shot and tries to beat likely favorite Texas Fever.

That is what I aim to do by backing Your Round. A son of Distorted Humor, he seems to have the numbers and potential to run with Texas Fever.

Your Round showed promise as a 2-year-old last year, winning at first asking over the Ellis Park turf course in August and later going on to perform well in stakes and allowance company. Third in the Grade 3 Summer Stakes at Woodbine behind Prussian, he finished a close fourth in the Bourbon County Stakes at Keeneland and ninth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf over boggy conditions at Monmouth Park, just 1 1/2 lengths behind sixth-place Texas Fever.

It was his final start of 2007, an allowance on the main track at Churchill Downs on Nov. 24, that I liked best. Racing on dirt for the first time, Your Round overcame a wide trip and bravely finished third in a blanket finish against a good group of colts.

Because he's unraced over Polytrack, the synthetic surface in place at Turfway Park, my guess is that the public will overlook him somewhat, concentrating on others such as Texas Fever and U.S. Cavalry, who both have won stakes over the Turfway strip.

Your Round fits the profile for success over the surface, however, having shown the versatility to handle both turf and dirt. Additionally, he has trained very well over the Polytrack at Keeneland, capped by a bullet five-eighths breeze in 58.40 seconds Jan. 26.

He does not have the benefit of a race this year, which could put him at a fitness disadvantage, but at odds of 6-1 or higher, he looms a good wager.

Strub: Tiago should rebound

Turning from the 3-year-olds to the 4-year-olds, Saturday's Strub Stakes at Santa Anita appears to set up well for two-time Grade 1 winner Tiago.

Third as the favorite when returning from a short layoff in the Jan. 12 San Fernando, he should take a step forward with that race behind him, and return to peak form. And as he proved last year, his peak form is quite good.

Besides winning the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby over Santa Anita's old dirt track, he won the Grade 2 Swaps and Grade 1 Goodwood over Cushion Track, at Hollywood Park and Santa Anita, respectively.

A late runner, he is at his best at 1 1/8 miles - the distance of the Strub - and there appears to be enough speed in the field to ensure an honest pace and set up his rally.

On the basis of Beyers, Giant Gizmo is his greatest adversary, but lacking stakes experience and exiting a slow-paced allowance, he could regress in a faster-paced Strub.

Manatee: Greenstreet can fire fresh

In addition to Your Round, I like another comebacker in stakes action Saturday - Greenstreet in the $65,000 Manatee Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.

Unraced since finishing sixth in the Go for Wand Stakes at Delaware Park on Sept. 1 and facing older mares for the first time, she may be overlooked by bettors.

I'm expecting her to return ready. Greenstreet shows a steady number of drills leading up to her 4-year-old bow, and based on the company she kept last year - when she ran competitively at times against Moon Catcher and Winning Point - she has the class to be a force in the Manatee.

Cutting back from routes to seven furlongs should not pose a problem for Greenstreet. She is perfect in two starts in dirt races around one turn, having won a maiden race at 5 1/2 furlongs at 2 and going a mile as an early season 3-year-old.

With plenty of speed in this race, Greenstreet should be able to work out a favorable stalking trip, aiming to rally from five or so lengths off the early leaders.