NEW ORLEANS — By Ed DeRosa

What you do with #5 Hidden Connection in the Joseph E. “Spanky” Broussard Memorial Stakes depends on what you make of her last race.

The Connect filly, who nearly upset champion Echo Zulu in the Fair Grounds Oaks last year, was given a 3-1 chance to snap a seven-race losing streak in the Chilukki last out, but she faded fast and was soundly beaten.

Obviously a repeat of that effort does not come close to contending against these, but there is reason to think she can improve here. In addition to returning to Fair Grounds–the site of her last win–she also adds the anti-bleeding medication Lasix, which was on board for her previous win.

#6 Skratch Kat also attracted my interest. If all goes according to plan, she will be chasing Hidden Connection home late. She was too far out of it going longer last out in the Falls City at Churchill Downs. This seems a more ideal distance for her considering all four of her wins have come at this 1 mile, 70 yards or 1 1/16-mile distance.

Drawn inside are #1 Corningstone and #2 The Alys Look, two fillies who are likely to take some play, but that I will try to beat. Neither at her best has been as fast as either Hidden Connection or Skratch Kat even at their average performance, let alone best.

So what does this mean for how we bet the race? I think it’s all about just planting your flag in the fertile opinion that Hidden Connection and Skratch Kat are the two best fillies in this race and playing them in an exacta box, meaning they have to finish first and second in either order.

For those looking for a little more added spice, # 4 Unbridled Mary, #7 Lexa, and #8 Rose Palace are not that far off #1 or 2, who I’ve already said I don’t love. A trifecta using #5 & #6 on top of #4, #7, and #8 would cost $12 and is likely to be overlaid because #1 & #2 will be overbet.

How I’m betting – $5 exacta box: #5 + #6 = $10

50-cent trifecta part wheel #5, #6 with #4, #5, #6, #7, #8 with #4, #5, #6, #7, #8  = $12

In all cases, either #5 or #6 has to win. Happy Holidays, and good luck!