Expert Pick of the Week: 2023 Chicago Stakes

The race will go through recent Derby City Distaff (G1) queen Matareya for conditioner Brad Cox, who looms large as a two-time Grade 1 winner in fine current form. She is the Expert Pick of the Week. 

By Pioneerof the Nile, the Godolphin homebred has achieved some of her best results at the seven-eighths distance, and the fact that she was a debut winner at Ellis Park as a two-year-old is a positive as well. Matareya has come out on top in five of her last seven overall, four of which have resulted in graded stakes triumphs, and she could put in a peak run while making her third start of 2023 too. 

The bay four-year-old has gate speed but runs equally well from off the early tempo, and she is expected to track the pace from second to the top of the lane before striding clear in the stretch. Regular pilot Flavien Prat will be in the stirrups atop the $1.5 million-earner. 

Hidden Connection was a graded stakes winner at two and is looking to regain that form for trainer Bret Calhoun. The dark bay daughter of Connect has shown signs of getting back to her best this campaign with a pair of game runner-up finishes in the Grade 3 ranks, and she has appeal on the cut back in distance on Saturday. Kentucky-bred bay will be as fit as any runner in the affair coming off of five consecutive route races, and she will also save ground throughout with a cozy slot from the rail. Luis Saez will have the filly tracking the pace from third early before asking her for her best in the final furlong. 

An exacta with #2 Matareya on top of #1 Hidden Connection in the 2023 Chicago Stakes is the Best Bet of the Week.