The $400,000 Grade 1 Jaipur Stakes, raced at three-quarters of a mile on Belmont Stakes Day, is one of the most prominent turf sprints in North America. The New York Racing Association presents NYRA Bets Day at Belmont Park. You could make a strong case that this race is only second in importance to the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint.

The 2022 Jaipur boasts a competitive field of 13 horses, and there are many ways to handicap the race. Many bettors are leaning towards #5 Arrest Me Red (5-2), who has won four of his five races after shifting to trainer Wesley Ward's care. 

Ward is well-known for his expertise in training turf sprinters, and Arrest Me Red has proven to be a force in grass sprints, winning the Grade 3 Belmont Turf Sprint Invitational Stakes at this distance last fall.

Arrest me Red finished third in the Silks Run Stakes at Gulfstream Park in his 2022 debut, although the distance (approximately five-eighths of a mile) was arguably too short. At the finish, Arrest Me Red was closing ground quickly, and he excelled when stretching out over another sixteenth of a mile in the Grade 2 Twin Spires Turf Sprint Stakes Presented by Sysco at Churchill Downs last month, pressing the early pace before edging away to win by 1 3/4 lengths over subsequent runners.

Another logical challenger in the Jaipur is #4 Casa Creed (9-2). Casa Creed, trained by Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, was a decisive winner of the 2021 Jaipur, winning by two lengths after unleashing a furious outside rally. Casa Creed hasn't won in five starts since then, but he's run some good races. He finished second in the Group 3 STC 1351 Turf Sprint Cup in Saudi Arabia to kick off 2022 by only a neck, and he most recently finished fifth (lost by only 2 1/4 lengths) in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint Sponsored by Azizi Developments in Dubai against a strong field.

But what if we look outside the box and back a Jaipur longshot? In a large and competitive field, when a length or two lost in traffic might be the difference between winning and finishing eighth, it's hardly a reach to believe anything could happen.

What's an example? Greyes Creek is #6 on the list (30-1). Greyes Creek, a 6-year-old by Pioneer of the Nile, has shown flashes of considerable promise in the past, and I can't help but wonder what would have occurred if he had a clean trip in the 2021 Jaipur. Greyes Creek made excellent progress along the fence after saving ground off the pace until an opening failed to arise, and he was stuck behind opponents. 

Greyes Creek was anxious to sprint down the homestretch, tossing his head in search of the room, but nothing came up, and he was forced to settle for eighth place, 4 1/4 lengths behind the winner.

Greyes Creek may not have been able to outkick Casa Creed with a clean run, but I believe he would have fought for second place. He's only run once since then, placing seventh in an allowance race at Keeneland on April 20, but it was a far better effort than it appeared. The race was 1 1/16 miles (perhaps a little further than Greyes Creek wants to go at this time in his career), and he was only three lengths behind the winner after getting into contention in the stretch.

There are also some favourable aspects to consider. Greyes Creek is returning with jockey Tyler Gaffalione, who rode Greyes Creek to three triumphs. In addition, Greyes Creek will compete in the Jaipur with blinkers, and trainer Paulo Lobo has a 20 per cent victory percentage with horses wearing blinkers for the first time.

Call me crazy, but I think Greyes Creek has a chance to win if he can put together a clean trip in the 2022 Jaipur. I want to bet on him at 30-1 morning-line odds if he makes up for his shaky run in 2021.

So, what is the best way to gamble on Jaipur? I'll suggest two strategies based on the budget you've set aside. Both require betting on Greyes Creek to win and playing him in an exacta with Arrest Me Red and Casa Creed for first and second place, which accounts for the potential of Greyes Creek finishing second behind one of the logical favourites.

On a $12 budget, a Wagering Strategy

Greyes Creek #6 is worth $6 to win.

What to say in the betting window: 8th race at Belmont Park, $6 to win on 6

$2 exacta ($4): 4,5 with 6

What to say at the betting window: 8th race, $2 exacta 4,5 with six at Belmont Park

$1 exacta ($2): 6 with 4,5

What to say at the betting window: 8th race at Belmont Park, $1 exacta 6 with 4,5.

On a $30 budget, my wagering strategy is $14 to win on #6 Greyes Creek.

What to say at the betting window: 8th race at Belmont Park, $14 to win on a $6 exacta: 4,5 with 6 ($12).

What to say at the betting window: 8th race, $6 exacta 4,5 with six at Belmont Park

$6 exacta ($4): 6 with 4,5

What to say at the betting window: Belmont Park, 8th race, $2 exacta 6 with 

Good luck and have fun with the race!